Paget's disease of the breast is a malignant pathology that affects the apocrine glands. It is currently relatively rare. It is customary to distinguish two large types of disease. Each has developed their own treatment approaches. Both variants are distinguished by the formation of Paget cells - tumor formations of a fairly characteristic shape and variety.
Some features
Mammillary Paget's disease of the mammary gland is an oncological pathology involving the nipple. Of all the situations of malignant transformation of mammary gland cells, this particular one is characteristic for three percent of cases. Pathology is observed in a variety of patients, regardless of gender. Mostly the risk group is people who celebrate their fiftieth anniversary and older. It is known that for women the probability of developing the oncological process is higher, but in the male body it is more difficult to defeat, the course is more severe. A distinctive feature of the form is the epidermis of the nipple, the areola changes greatly under the influence of transforming cellular processes.
Up to 70% of all cases when this form of Paget's disease of the breast was detected, in addition, other malignant transformations of the breast cells were found in the patients. As a rule, oncological processes affect more deeply located structures.
Second type
Extramillary - a form that often develops near the reproductive organs, anus. Armpits, a navel and other non-standard areas are somewhat less likely to suffer. Negative processes occur in the dermis, apocrine glands. Up to a quarter of all cases are accompanied by other oncological processes in the skin at a deeper level.
Where did the trouble come from?
As doctors were able to identify, Paget's disease of the breast was provoked by features of the life cycle of the cell encoded in DNA. Normally, the creation of a cell, growth, reproduction, gradual dying is assumed. Apoptosis is a term applied to the phenomenon of programmed death. Malignant formations are created from cells in which the program of death is impaired. Apoptosis is simply inaccessible for them, as if cells acquire immortality, dividing endlessly, which leads to the growth of education.
At the doctor’s appointment, you can see many frightening photos of Paget's disease of the breast. This appearance of the pathology is due to negative processes that affect the apocrine skin glands, which are able to normally produce sebaceous components that prevent drying out of the skin. Such glands are found in various parts of the body, but near the nipples, their concentration is much higher. The number of glands in the area of reproductive organs and armpits is similarly increased.
About the reasons
According to the reviews of health workers, histology, photos, Paget's disease of the breast develops gradually. The doctor will definitely consider possible factors that triggered the pathology. More often, changes are due to other oncological processes, and the one we are considering develops only as an additional complication. Many scientists are of the opinion that the mechanism is as follows: cells with a damaged genetic structure can migrate from different parts of the gland directly to the nipples.
There is an alternative that explains how breast Paget's disease develops. Pathanatomy, in particular, has found many confirmations of the fidelity of this hypothesis. Keratinocytes probably mutate, which leads to negative processes in the cells that form the nipple. This is what initiates a serious and rare ailment.
Risk factors
You need to know the symptoms of Paget's disease of the breast if the person is at risk. The probability of getting sick is higher with the influence of the following aspects:
- genetic information;
- poor ecology in the area of residence;
- bad habits;
- age (already at 35 the risk is growing, the peak of doctors has been set at 50-70 years);
- menarche ahead of time;
- late menopause;
- late birth;
- excess weight;
- prolonged use of oral contraceptives;
- long-term hormone replacement therapy;
- the abundance of animal fats in food;
- interaction with provoking oncology, chemical, toxic substances;
- frequent exposure to direct sunlight;
- dermatological pathologies.
Symptomatology
As the doctors say, the symptoms of Paget's disease of the mammary gland (photos show that the disease often proceeds quite unaesthetically) are as follows:
- the nipple, areola are inflamed, scales appear, progress is observed over time;
- discharge is observed: pus or resembling water;
- the area hurts, itches;
- the nipples become cracked, the lesions do not heal;
- numerous ulcers develop in the affected areas.
Symptoms, treatment of Paget's disease of the mammary gland are currently relatively poorly studied, although scientists have revealed that in the later stages, the nipple is destroyed or drawn into the chest. Statistics show: in a detailed examination of patients in one case out of three, seals are found in the chest.
It is important!
If there is a suspicion of pathology, you do not need to search on the Internet for photos of the stages of Paget's disease of the mammary gland, you need to immediately sign up to the doctor. It is almost impossible to independently determine the pathology: as can be seen from the statistics, in the initial stages people seek help very rarely, simply not realizing the scale of the problem. In order to save your health and life, for any dubious symptoms you need to visit a doctor, undergo a comprehensive examination and only on the basis of analyzes make a decision on a suitable therapeutic program.
Diagnostic Features
The classic method for identifying pathology is histological analysis. For research, take tissue samples from a diseased part of the body. When using modern equipment in the laboratory, they are looking for cancer cells of Paget. If tumor processes localized in other breast tissues are additionally detected, tomography is mandatory. To clarify the result, they can be sent for a specific x-ray, ultrasound. Do a biopsy of the breast tissue.
Main problem
As can be seen from the statistics, more often patients turn to the late stage of Paget's disease of the mammary gland, which significantly limits the ability of doctors and worsens prognosis for pathology. To some extent, this is also due to the low prevalence of the problem: at first, many mistakenly take it for less dangerous dermatological diseases, and they are treated precisely. Prescribe steroid drugs that relieve symptoms, bring relief, although they do not allow to cope with the problem.
When diagnosing, it is important to accurately establish the diagnosis, to exclude the possibility of psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, mycosis. Similar manifestations can provoke Bowen's pathology, histiocytosis. It is known that melanoma manifests itself in this way. The doctor’s task is to prescribe a sufficient volume of tests so that you can accurately identify which of these problems is observed in a particular case.
Therapy Features
The treatment technique is determined based on the stage of the pathology, the nature of its course, the presence of accompanying cancer.
Quite often, a radical approach is practiced - removal of the mammary gland, removal of lymph nodes located in the armpits. This option is usually chosen when the pathology is accompanied by other malignant neoplasms in the chest. There are situations when complications are provoked by metastases in muscle tissue under the breast. We have to resort to a rather complicated event, developed by the famous surgeon Halstead. This is a radical operation in which both the breast, lymph nodes, and chest muscles are simultaneously removed. The recovery period after such an event is accompanied by the use of hormonal drugs, a course of chemotherapy.
Alternative option
If detailed studies have shown that there are no other tumor processes in the breast tissue, it is enough to have surgery. It is not required after him to conduct either therapy using chemical components, or hormone replacement.
If it was possible to detect pathology in the initial stage, when the lesion covers only the area of the nipple, the doctor may recommend a surgical intervention in which the affected area is excised, leaving the chest intact. In addition to the directly diseased area, a small supply of healthy tissues is also taken to prevent relapse.
Additional features
When identifying a pathology and determining the optimal therapeutic course, it is important not only to follow the doctor's recommendations, but also to change the lifestyle. You should completely abandon bad habits and change the menu so that the diet becomes a high-quality, balanced, rich in nutrient components. Every day, the amount of protein and calories necessary for normal functioning of the body should be ingested.
Traditional medicine against cancer
While doctors are trying to invent more effective and modern medicines, the effectiveness of which would be higher, the public is developing their own unique recipes based on natural ingredients. Of course, they will not cure cancer, but they will help maintain immunity and strengthen the body, especially if the internal systems are weakened by chemotherapy. In the general case, all such options can be used only after consulting a doctor, so as not to harm yourself and avoid a conflict of traditional medicines and alternative folk prescriptions.
The most useful is the swimmer. Of course, the plant itself is poisonous, but only in fairly large quantities. When used wisely, a mild toxic effect is observed that destroys defeated cells, while nothing harms the healthy. Tea is prepared on the basis of the floating: a glass of water is taken on a spoon of grass and insisted for half an hour, filtered. The drink is consumed in the mornings before meals in a glass for three weeks, after which the dosage is doubled, drinking one glass before breakfast, the second before dinner. It is recommended to drink such tea until the disease is completely defeated.
Malva against cancer
This beautiful flower not only brings joy to its appearance, but also good for health. In oncology, it is used in the form of a chilled drink. On a tablespoon of dried grass (or twice as much fresh) take a quarter liter of cold water, mix and leave to stand for 12 hours.
After this time, the drink is filtered and used in food up to four times daily in fifty-milliliter portions.