Breast Cancer on Nipple 2022

Detecting a breast lump does not mean that you have breast cancer, yet it is one possible sign of breast cancer that requires further investigation. Moreover, there are several signs such as breast pain, redness, swelling, changes in the shape, size, and overall appearance of the breast nipple as well as surrounding areola.

Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, quick temperature changes, and aging can reform the nipple area of the breast. These changes are deemed normal. However, if you notice sudden and out-of-the-blue changes on the nipple or areola, it could be breast cancer on nipple that requires further investigation by your healthcare provider.

Paget’s disease of the breast or Paget’s disease of the nipple is a rare form of breast cancer that starts from the nipple area and slowly spreads, extending to the areola. The average age of women affected falls around 50 years and contributes to 1-4% of the total diagnosed cases.

Symptoms related to Paget’s disease of the breast

This breast cancer on nipple has many possible signs and symptoms that are easily confused with other non-cancerous medical conditions of the skin like eczema and dermatitis. The following are the signs and symptoms of Paget’s disease of the breast:

• Red, flaky skin on the nipple and surrounding area.
• Bumpy and inflamed skin affects either the nipple, areola, or both.
• Painful, straw-colored discharge from the nipple.
• In severe, cases, blood is also discharged through the nipple.
• An inverted or flattened nipple
• Skin thickening around the breast area.

In Paget’s disease of the breast, half of the women diagnosed lump, just behind their nipple that in 90% of the cases turns out to be invasive breast cancer. It is of utmost importance to go for an evaluation by your local healthcare provider if you experience the above symptoms.

Causes of Paget’s disease of breast cancer:

The causes of this breast cancer on nipple are still unknown. It is widely believed that Paget’s disease is the result of ductal breast cancer, originating from the milk ducts and eventually spreading to the nipple and the surrounding areola.

Still, there are certain risk factors listed below that increase your chances of developing Paget’s disease of the breast. The risk factors include:

• Old age, especially above 50 easily increases the chances of developing breast cancer.
• People with a reported family history of breast cancer.
• People who have a personal history of abnormal breast changes are also at high risk.
• Defects in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
• People are exposed to radiation for the treatment of cancer earlier in life.
• Excess weight, unhealthy lifestyle, and regular alcohol consumption that exceeds the normal drinking limits are also risk factors.

Prevention of Paget’s disease of breast cancer:

There are a few healthy lifestyle changes that can help keep this breast cancer on the nipple at bay. Besides, become familiar with your current health condition.

• Breast screening exams: Talk with your healthcare provider to pick the screening methods most suitable for your condition. These screening tests usually include mammography and clinical breast exams.
• Keep Alcohol consumption minimum: The chances of developing breast cancer increase many folds if you consume alcohol, way more than the normal drinking limit.
• Exercise: Make exercise a routine and work out at least 20 minutes a day. However, if you have not been active, start with brisk walks and do consult your doctor for physical exercises according to your current health condition.
• Eat healthily and maintain a healthy weight: The chances of developing breast cancer on the nipple are considerably reduced. You can discuss your concern with your doctor to help reduce weight and consult a nutritionist for a healthy meal plan to follow.

Treatment options for Paget’s disease of the breast

The type of treatment your doctor might recommend depends on the severity of the disease and the spread of cancer. In early stages, surgery is advised that could be whole breast mastectomy, meaning the whole breast is removed or just an excision surgery where the nipple, areola, and the tissue beneath it are removed. Patients who undergo removal of their breast can opt for breast reconstruction surgery, later on, to reconstruct the deformed breast shape due to breast removal.

There are a few instances where breast cancer on nipple can turn invasive. Further treatment is required in such conditions. Currently, there are three types of treatments listed below:

Radiotherapy: The controlled amount of radiation is passed that has the potential to kill cancerous cells. The time a person receives radiation therapy depends on how far has the cancer spread and all this will be decided by your oncologist treating cancer.

Chemotherapy: Different medications are administered for a period that kills the tumor cells. The number of drugs and the duration of therapy differ for each case.

Hormonal therapy: It is a supportive therapy given to a patient to decrease the spread of cancer as well as its recurrence.

Breast cancer on nipple or Paget’s disease of the nipple, as we know it could be life-threatening if left untreated. Always try to keep a tab on your health and live a healthy lifestyle. Do visit your doctor if you notice unexpected changes in your breast as cancer is curable when treated early on.

We hope the information on as useful. You can discover Discover 12+ Breast cancer risk factors too here.

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