Paget's disease of the breast (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==How to know you have Paget's disease of the breast?== | ==How to know you have Paget's disease of the breast?== | ||
:*[[Biopsy]]: Biopsy is the most important test for the diagnosis. During this peroid, the doctors remove a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. Then the pathologists may analyze the samples and tell whether the tissues is benign or cancerous. | |||
:*Breast ultrasonography: This is an painless test which uses sound waves to create a picture of the internal organs. Because tumors generate different echoes of sound waves than normal tissue, the doctor can locate a mass inside the body. | |||
:*Computed tomography (CT) scan and biopsy: CT scans are often used to diagnose Paget's disease of the breast. It can confirm the location of the cancer and show the organs nearby, as well as lymph nodes and distant organs where the cancer might have spread. These are helpful for determining the stage of the cancer and in determining whether surgery is a good treatment option. CT scans can also be used to guide biopsy and a biopsy sample is usually removed and looked at under a microscope. | |||
:*Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses magnetic fields but it is a different type of image than what is produced by computed tomography (CT) and produces detailed images of the body. Like computed tomography (CT), a contrast agent may be injected into a patient’s vein to create a better picture. | |||
:*Chest X-ray: This plain x-ray of your chest may be done to see if the cancer has spread to your lungs. | |||
:*Whole Bone Scan: The goal of a whole body bone scan is to show if a cancer has metastasized to your bones. | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== |
Revision as of 16:08, 14 September 2009
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What is Paget's disease of the breast?
This email warns women about a rare form of breast cancer called Paget抯 Disease, and tells them to be alert for a rash that appears around the nipple which can be misdiagnosed as a dermatological condition.
How do I know if I have Paget's disease of the breast and what are the symptoms of Paget's disease of the breast?
Early signs of Paget's disease of the breast does nmake the patient's attention. As the tumor grows, people may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Redness and flaking of the nipple skin
- Nipple flattened against the breast
- A lump or mass in the breast
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Who is at risk for Paget's disease of the breast?
The risk factor of Paget's disease of the breast is not clear at present.
How to know you have Paget's disease of the breast?
- Biopsy: Biopsy is the most important test for the diagnosis. During this peroid, the doctors remove a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. Then the pathologists may analyze the samples and tell whether the tissues is benign or cancerous.
- Breast ultrasonography: This is an painless test which uses sound waves to create a picture of the internal organs. Because tumors generate different echoes of sound waves than normal tissue, the doctor can locate a mass inside the body.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan and biopsy: CT scans are often used to diagnose Paget's disease of the breast. It can confirm the location of the cancer and show the organs nearby, as well as lymph nodes and distant organs where the cancer might have spread. These are helpful for determining the stage of the cancer and in determining whether surgery is a good treatment option. CT scans can also be used to guide biopsy and a biopsy sample is usually removed and looked at under a microscope.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses magnetic fields but it is a different type of image than what is produced by computed tomography (CT) and produces detailed images of the body. Like computed tomography (CT), a contrast agent may be injected into a patient’s vein to create a better picture.
- Chest X-ray: This plain x-ray of your chest may be done to see if the cancer has spread to your lungs.
- Whole Bone Scan: The goal of a whole body bone scan is to show if a cancer has metastasized to your bones.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if symptoms of Paget's disease of the breast develop. If you experience either of the following symptoms, seeking urgent medical care as soon as possible:
- Development of a lump or swelling in the breast or underarm area
- Skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or retraction, redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin
- A discharge other than breast milk
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Paget's disease of the breast?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Paget's disease of the breast
Prevention of Paget's disease of the breast
For the risk factors are not clear, the preventive measure is unknown.
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/pagets-breast
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MED/content/MED_6_1x_A_New_Form_of_Breast_Cancer.asp?sitearea=MED