Paget disease of the nipple

Definition

Paget disease of the nipple describes a rare presentation of breast cancer, seen most frequently in women aged 50-60, manifesting with nipple drainage and itching, erythema, crusty and excoriated nipple, thickened plaques, and hyperpigmentation (less frequently). It is due to tumor cells invading the nipple-areola complex and represents 1-3% of all new breast cancer diagnoses.