Paget's disease belongs to oncological pathologies. Primarily this disease affects the breast . Consider the violation in detail, highlighting its causes, stages, signs and methods of determination, methods of treatment.
Paget's disease - what is it?
Paget's disease of the breast is named after a doctor who examined this pathology. Immediately he first established the relationship between changes in the nipple that occur with this disease, with breast cancer. In most cases, a violation of this kind is recorded during hormonal changes - menopause , menopause.
Paget's cancer, the symptoms of which are described below, develops in the nipple of the breast, as a consequence of cancer processes in the chest. The changes extend to the skin of the nipple. In this case, the underlying, malignant tumor may not be palpated by the doctors, the patient herself. Occasionally, a violation can be recorded in other organs - extramammary cancer. In this case, the groin area, intestine, bladder are affected.
Paget's Cancer - Species
Paget's cancer is a multifactorial disease having various clinical manifestations. Because of this, it is often impossible to diagnose it in the early stages. Depending on how the pathology manifests itself, the peculiarities of its course, the following types of disease are distinguished:
- Sharp exotation. With this form on the near-sucking region, small rashes are formed. Over time, they become sores.
- The Chronic Examoid. On the surface of the nipple, crusts form. When they are removed, a small area of intertrigo formation takes place.
- Psoriatic form. It is characterized by the presence on the surface of the gland of small, pinkish hue, papules. Outside, they are covered with a scaly, which over time peels off.
- Ulcerative form. On the surface of the breast, with this type of disorder, ulcers are formed, with a depression in the center. In appearance it resembles volcanic craters.
- Tumor. Characterized by the appearance of dense formation, tumor nature. It is localized mainly in the sucking region.
According to clinical observations, in 50% of cases, Paget's disease is accompanied by changes in the nipple-alveolar complex. In 40% of patients with palpation and examination, a palpable tumor node in the indicated area is found. The disease is diagnosed often with a preventive examination, because of the lack of a clinical picture.
Paget's cancer - stages
The disease (cancer) of Paget develops gradually, has a sluggish beginning. Because of this, many women do not notice the changes for a long time. Paget's cancer, the initial stage of the disease, is diagnosed extremely rarely, since the woman does not bother with anything. In the very course of pathology, it is common to distinguish 4 stages:
- stage 0 - the tumor is confined to the epidermal tissue, while large, deep, malignant formations are absent. Protocols remain unchanged;
- stage 1 - accompanied by a subject of breast cancer, lesion of the ducts of the gland, these changes are localized near the nipple;
- stage 2 - is associated with widespread intra-cellular breast cancer;
- Stage 3 - is characterized by invasive, protrugal breast cancer, severe tissue damage, multiple foci.
Paget's disease of the breast - symptoms
Paget's cancer of the breast, the symptoms of which are absent in the early stages, often becomes a surprise for the woman herself. Most patients do not notice a change in their state of health. Suspicions can occur only with tenderness in the chest and the detection of seals. In addition, in the nipple area there is irritation, redness, peeling of the skin. When the cancer of Paget develops, the nipple may not be visible - it falls inside.
With a pathology like Paget's disease, the symptoms can suddenly disappear, but this is not a recovery. Temporary disappearance of symptoms is noted against the background of corticosteroid ointments - ladies are taking symptoms for allergies. With the progression of pathology, stagnant infiltration, hyperemia of the alveolar region develops. As a result of such changes, erosions and sores are formed on the surface of the skin, then the crusts. Patients record the appearance:
- itching;
- burning;
- tingle.
- heightened sensitivity in the nasal region.
Paget's disease - diagnosis
The diagnosis of "breast cancer of Paget" is exposed on the basis of the results of laboratory studies, a clinical picture. If you suspect a disease, the patients are assigned:
- cytological examination (scraping from the surface of the affected gland)
- Histology - microcopy of a site of damaged tissue
- mammography.
Paget's cancer - treatment
Paget's disease of the breast is often subjected to surgical treatment. This is the main type of therapy. Even in the absence of palpable seals, doctors perform extensive surgical intervention. At the same time, it is necessary to audit the axillary lymph nodes. When the disease is combined with infiltrating protocol cancer, a mastectomy (removal of the gland) is performed.
Other methods of treating the disease have an unstable effect. Because of this, they are used as additional. Among them are:
- radiation therapy ;
- chemotherapy;
- antiestrogen hormone therapy.
Paget's breast cancer - prognosis
With a disease like Paget's breast cancer, the woman's forecast is unfavorable. The probability of a recurrence of the pathology, the resumption of the disease remains after the operation. The prognosis depends on the aggressiveness of tumor growth. The average life expectancy for Paget's disease is 3 years. If there are infiltrative components, metastases, then this period is reduced to 1 year.