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Paget Disease Of The Breast

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Paget Disease Of The Breast

Paget Disease Of The Breast

Pageant
tantheman
9 KEY FACTS
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
Spreading Ulceration At Nipple/Areola
Ulcer-volcano spreading lava down nipple-areola mountain

Paget's disease of the breast is described as an uclerated lesion that begins at the nipple then spreads out into the areola. This ulceration may vary in its character, and may be described as eczematous, vesicular, scaly, or raw, or any combination of these.

Eczematous Or Vesicular Rash
Axe-zebra with vesicles

The skin lesion seen in Paget's disease of the breast varies in terms of its appearance and characteristics, but is most commonly seen as eczematous and/or pruritic.

Pruritus
prairie dog

Pruritis, or itching, is a symptom commonly reported in association with Paget's disease of the breast. Specifically, the itching tends to occur near and around the rash.

Breast Mass
Breast-masses

Approximately half of patients with Paget's disease of the breast are also found to have a palpable breast mass. This finding is important, as it further raises the suspicion for underlying malignancy and the presence or absence of this finding will later guide decision making regarding treatment options.

Bloody Or Yellow Discharge
Blood and yellow discharge

Occasionally, patients with Paget's disease of the breast may report bloody or yellow-green discharge, though this finding is not always present and therefore its absence does not exclude Paget's from the differential diagnosis.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Associated With Underlying Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Duck-add-car-gnome

It is important to recognize Paget's disease of the breast, because many cases have been shown to be associated with underlying malignancy related to the epithelial cells of the lactiferous ducts. This may be in the form of ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS) or invasive ductal carcinoma, depending on the progression of the malignancy at the time of diagnosis.

Caused By Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cells Migrating To Surface
Duck and add-car-gnome migrating to surface of volcano

The skin findings seen in Paget's disease of the breast are thought to be a result of malignant ductal cells migrating through the lactiferous ducts to the epidermis. Another theory is that the epidermal keratinocytes within the nipple are transformed into malignant cells, representing an epidermal rather than dutal carcinoma. This theory is far less widely accepted however.

WORKUP
Biopsy
Biopsy needle

Patients with clinical findings suspicious for Paget's disease of the breast should undergo breast biopsy, ideally a punch or full-thickness wedge biopsy of the nipple.

Bilateral Mammogram
Mammoth-bi-ladders

Bilateral mammography or mammogram is necessary in order to identify any underlying mass in addition to assess for the possibility of bilateral disease. Findings on mammography and biopsy will then be important in guiding treatment, specifically regarding the choice of treatment between breast conservation therapy (IE lumpectomy plus radiation) versus mastectomy.

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