What are the symptoms of Pagets disease of the breast?
Symptoms of Paget’s disease of the breast include itching, burning, redness, and scaling of the skin on the nipple and areola. The areola is the circular area of darker-colored skin that surrounds the nipple. There may be a bloody discharge from the nipple, and the nipple may appear flattened against the breast. In up to 30 percent of cases, however, there are no visible skin changes. Almost half of all patients with Paget’s disease of the breast also have a lump in the breast that can be felt at the time of diagnosis. It is important to see a health care provider about any of these symptoms, or if the symptoms do not completely disappear after treatment. They may be caused by Paget’s disease of the breast, other types of breast cancer, or a less serious skin condition. How is Paget’s disease of the breast diagnosed? If the health care provider suspects Paget’s disease, a sample of any nipple discharge may be examined under a microscope for Paget cells, or a biopsy of the nipple will b
