Paget's disease

[wendolyn5833]

I was recently treated for dermatitis on my left breast.  I had a dry, circular patch on the outer edge of my areola.  Then I learned about Paget's disease.  My patch matched all the descriptions I had read about.  My question is would the cream I was prescribed make the patch better even if it was Paget's disease?  I had  a mammogram just recently and it came back normal.  Or is would this be a temorary fix and Paget's disease is still there just being covered up?

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  The cream you're using to treat for dermatitis would not work for Paget's disease, so if your skin lesion got better with the medication, most probably it's not Paget's disease.  The fact that you had a recent mammogram and it came back normal means you don't have anything to worry about.

[wendolyn5833]

Thank you for your answer.  

[JBond314]

Please stay on top of this.  I too had a sore on my left nipple and was told the EXACT same thing as you.  Four months later I went back because this area would get better and flair back up and my OB/GYN scheduled a biopsy that came back positive for Paget's Disease.  Even though I mentioned my concern about paget's at my visit in June/07, his treatment of my case was exactly as your treatment.  Upon diagnosis of paget's, I found out that mammogram DOES NOT detect paget's and only MRI can detect or of course, biopsy.  If this area is no better, please go back and demand a biopsy.  I had a double mastectomy on 11/12/07 due to 3 areas of concern in my right breast and am currently going through the expansion phase.  The good news is that my paget's was contained and due to removal of "areas of concern" I am cancer free and do not face chemotherapy.  I am 44 years old and paget's is not common at my age.  Stay diligent and if you are not satisfied or sure your Dr. is taking you serious, seek someone else.  It took me 2 OB/GYN's and 2 surgeons before I was taken seriously, but my "areas of concern" came back positive for cancer so diligence truly paid off.  Good luck and God Bless.

[elizabeth11]

Dear Wendolyn,
I agree with the last person - mammograms do NOT show Pagets. Biopsy is the way to rule in/out that possibility. The same thing has occurred with my mother and now we are looking at stage 3 cancer due to a doctor's ignorance/lack of knowledge.  Please take care  of yourself.