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Warning! What looks like eczema or psoriasis on the breast could be Paget's disease - breast cancer
The rare breast cancer - Paget's disease (Paget's disease of the nipple or mammary Paget's disease) is often confused with the two most common skin diseases, eczema and psoriasis. All of the above are very similar and often force doctors to send their patients to specialists for a correct diagnosis. However, there are certain detectable differences between Paget's disease and other skin conditions that many women can look for when self-examining the breasts for cancer. Typically, common skin conditions that affect the breasts are not a cause for concern. However, things are different with Paget's disease. 1. Eczema – is a relatively common skin condition; However, it is considered a chronic inflammatory...
Warning! What looks like eczema or psoriasis on the breast could be Paget's disease - breast cancer
The rare breast cancer - Paget's disease (Paget's disease of the nipple or mammary Paget's disease) is often confused with the two most common skin diseases, eczema and psoriasis. All of the above are very similar and often force doctors to send their patients to specialists for a correct diagnosis.
However, there are certain detectable differences between Paget's disease and other skin conditions that many women can look for when self-examining the breasts for cancer. Typically, common skin conditions that affect the breasts are not a cause for concern. However, things are different with Paget's disease.
1.Eczema –is a relatively common skin complaint; However, it is considered a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin that consists of dry skin with red patches, along with an often itchy sensation that causes the condition to worsen when scratching (eczema rarely affects the nipple).
2.psoriasis –is similar to eczema, but with patches of raised skin that are usually red, along with thick silver scales (often considered a hereditary disease [one in every two psoriasis cases is usually hereditary]) that appears on the skin (doctors still cannot explain what causes it).
3.Paget’s disease –can affect both men and women (men in more extreme cases) and is considered a fairly fatal form of cancer. Not only is the disease dangerous in itself, but 50% of women suffering from it are also diagnosed with one or more breast tumors (ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive breast cancer [stages I – III]) within the same breast in which the disease is present.
Symptoms –are usually in the form of a red scaly rash affecting the nipple (an extension of the areola [the dark skin circle around the nipple] may also often be present), which may itch or burn. In Paget's disease, malignant cells are usually present in the epidermis (the surface layer of skin) of both the areola and the nipple (malignant cells can form either singly or in small groups).
An inverted nipple (pulled inward) along with nipple discharge are also common signs that a rash is more than just a common skin complaint. However, compared to the disease and more common skin complaints, it usually affects only one breast (most skin complaints affect the two breasts).
The three main dangers of Paget's disease are as follows:
1.Is because Paget's disease is so similar to both eczema and psoriasis; it can certainly be misdiagnosed.
2.It is due to the presence of malignant (cancer) cells.
3.Breast tumors can also be diagnosed in around 50% of those affected.
A notice:All three dangers can cause a woman to either lose a breast or become just another breast cancer death statistic. Regular self-examinations are considered advisable for early diagnosis of breast cancer. Any doubt (even minor) about something unusual: inside, on or around (the nipple area) of the breast, which will be resolved by early consultation with a doctor or health advisor.
Inspired by Philip A Edmonds-Hunt