A rare type of carcinoma that appears as a unilateral dermatitis of the nipple and represents extension to the epidermis of an underlying mammary duct carcinoma. Paget's disease are thought to arise from apocrine glands. The redness, oozing, and crusting closely resemble dermatitis, but the physician should suspect carcinoma because the lesion is sharply marginated, unilateral, and unresponsive to topical therapy. Biopsy of the lesion shows typical histologic changes. An underlying carcinoma should be sought in all cases.
Treatment is determined by the surgeon, but mastectomy is usual for lesions of the nipple.
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