I received this post from the Women's Health Center of Ben Gurion
University
here in Beer Sheva about Paget's Disease of the nipple. Thanks to Dr.
Diana Shye for this interesting info on Paget's Disease of the nipple.
This is not related in any way to Paget's Disease of Bone.
According to the Collins Pocket Reference on Women's Health:" It is
quite common for an itchy skin rash to affect both breasts. This is
often a form of eczema,
calling for treatment with ointments. But if a patch of reddened skin,
resembling eczema, appears on only one nipple, it is possible that,
under
it, is a small cancer. This may be so even if you cannot feel lump.
This is
called Paget's disease. Such patch should always be reported. Usually a
biopsy, to exclude or confirm cancer, is required. Paget's disease does
not readily spread beyond the breast tissue, but should always be
removed."
>> Subject: PAGET'S DISEASE OF THE NIPPLE
>> Is a rare form of breast cancer, and is on the outside of the breast,
> on the nipple and areola. It appeared as a rash which later became a
> lesion with a crusty outer edge. I would not have ever suspected it
> to be breast cancer but it was. My nipple never seemed any different to
> me, but the rash bothered me so went to my doctor for that. Sometimes
> it itched and was sore, but other than that it didn't really bother
> me. It was just ugly and a nuisance, and could not be cleared up with
> all the creams prescribed by my doctor and dermatologist for the
> dermatitis on my eyes just prior to this outbreak. They seemed a little
> concerned but did not warn me it could be cancerous. Now I suspect there
> are not many women out there who know a lesion or rash on the nipple or
> areola can be breast cancer. What are the symptoms? Mine started out as a single red pimple on the areola. One of the biggest problems with Paget's disease of the nipple is that the symptoms appear to be harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation or infection, leading to
> unfortunate delays in detection and care.
> The symptoms include:
> 1. A persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your nipple causing
> it to itch and burn. ( As I stated mine did not itch or burn much,
> and had no oozing I was aware of, but it did have a crust along the outer
> edge on one side).
> 2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. (Mine was on the areola
> area with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple).
> 3. Usually only one nipple is affected.
> How is it diagnosed?
> Your doctor will do a physical exam, and should suggest having a
> mammogram of both breasts done immediately.
> Even though the redness, oozing and crusting closely resemble
> dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), your doctor should suspect
> cancer if the sore is only on one breast. Your doctor should order a
> biopsy of your sore to confirm what is going on. They will take a
> sample of your breast tissue in that area to test for cancer.
Here is a web site that has a complete discription of Paget's as well as
photos of same. http://www.breastdoctor.com/breast/cancer/pagets.htm
I think you are right on the money Ann, and hope that you can get this
mom to a responsible doctor asap.
http://www.breastdoctor.com/breast/cancer/pagets.htm
--
Denny Rice, RN, IBCLC
Dallas Texas USA
***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
