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Paget Disease of the Nipple

(Paget's Disease of the Nipple; Paget Disease of the Breast)

By

Gregory L. Wells

, MD, Ada West Dermatology and Dermatopathology

Reviewed/Revised Sep 2022
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Topic Resources

Paget disease of the nipple is a type of breast cancer Kind of tissue Kind of tissue that originates in milk ducts under the nipple but first appears on the skin.

Paget disease of the nipple occurs mainly on the nipple and results from a cancer of the breast milk ducts that has spread to the skin of the nipple. Both men and women are affected. The underlying cancer may or may not be felt by the person or the doctor.

Sometimes Paget disease of the nipple develops in areas other than the breast (called extramammary Paget disease). It can develop in the groin or genital area or around the anus as the result of a cancer originating in underlying sweat glands or even in nearby structures such as the bladder, anus, and rectum.

Symptoms of Paget Disease of the Nipple

Diagnosis of Paget Disease of the Nipple

  • Biopsy

Because Paget disease looks very much like common dermatitis, a biopsy Biopsy Doctors can identify many skin disorders simply by looking at the skin. A full skin examination includes examination of the scalp, nails, and mucous membranes. Sometimes the doctor uses a hand-held... read more Biopsy is necessary to make the diagnosis. During this procedure, a small piece of skin is removed and examined under a microscope.

As with other cancers, once the diagnosis of Paget disease of the nipple is confirmed, doctors do an examination and tests to see whether the cancer has spread.

Treatment of Paget Disease of the Nipple

  • Treatment of the underlying breast cancer, including removal of the nipple and areola

  • For extramammary Paget disease, surgery or laser therapy

Paget disease of the nipple is usually treated like other types of breast cancer Treatment Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast become abnormal and divide uncontrollably. Breast cancer usually starts in the glands that produce milk (lobules) or the tubes (ducts) that carry... read more Treatment , and the nipple and the area of pigmented skin around the nipple (areola) are surgically removed.

More Information

The following English-language resources may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of these resources.

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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