pagets disease
Rashes on the nipple are relatively common, and are normally due to eczema. Rarely, they may be caused by Paget’s disease. This is a spreading rash, beginning on the nipple, which is a sign of an underlying breast cancer.Paget’s disease begins in the centre of the nipple, and spreads from there to the areola. It tends to grow only very slowly, but may become ulcerated if left. It is easily diagnosed from a nipple skin biopsy.
If Paget’s disease is
confirmed, you will need to have investigations to see if there is a
breast cancer. The treatment needed will depend on this. Sometimes, if
there is extensive cancer or DCIS, a mastectomy is required. Sometimes
just excision of the nipple, areola and the tissue lying behind them is
needed. Lymph node surgery is required if there is an invasive cancer.