Paget's disease of the breast, also known as Paget's disease of the nipple, is a rare type of breast cancer with characteristic symptoms which differ from those of other types of breast cancer.
Symptoms
For many types of breast cancer, the first symptom is a lump in the breast. In Paget's breast disease, there is another sign that you are likely to notice first. It includes the nipple and areola of the breast, where you can have:
- redness
- irritation, crusting
- a tingling or itching sensation
These symptoms can be confused with eczema, dermatitis or other skin conditions, but Paget's disease usually occurs in only one breast and does not respond to treatment.
Some other signs that signal something more than a skin condition:
- thickening of the skin on or near
the nipple
- yellow liquid or blood in the nipple - increased sensitivity, pain
Risk factors
There are several factors that can increase the risk of developing breast cancer:
- age
- history of breast cancer
- have relatives with breast or ovarian cancer
- mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes
- dense breast tissue
- overweight, especially after menopause
- hormone replacement therapy
- alcohol
Risk factors for Paget's breast disease are not clear and specific.
Sources: Healthline, Women's Health
