dermatologic disorders
Paget Disease of the Breast
Introduction
Paget disease is a rare type of carcinoma that appears as a unilateral eczematous to psoriasiform plaque of the nipple and areola. It results from extension to the epidermis of an underlying ductal adenocarcinoma of the breast. Diagnosis is by biopsy. Treatment is as for breast cancer and includes removal of the nipple and areola. For extramammary Paget disease, treatment is with surgery or topical, radiation, or laser therapy. (See also Overview of Skin Cancer .) Paget disease occurs on the nipple or may also occur at other sites, most often in the groin or perianal area (extramammary Paget disease). Extramammary Paget disease is a rare adenocarcinoma that can either arise from apocrine glands of the skin or extend from a cancer in the bladder, anus, or rectum. In Paget disease of the breast, metastatic disease is often present at the time of the diagnosis. Paget disease of the breast should not be confused with the metabolic bone disease that is also called Paget disease. 