New Kind of Breast Cancer

A lady developed a rash on her breast, similar to that young mothers who are nursing. Because her mammogram had been clear, the doctor treated her with antibiotics for infections. After two rounds, it continued to get worse, so her doctor sent her for another mammogram. This time it showed a mass. A biopsy found a fast growing malignancy. Chemo was started in order to shrink the growth; then a mastectomy was performed; then a full round of Chemo; then radiation. After about 9 months of intense treatment, she was given a clean bill of health. She had one year of living each day to its fullest. Then the cancer returned to the liver area. She took a 4 treatments and decided that she wanted quality of life, not the after effects of Chemo. She had 5 great months and she planned each detail of the final days. After a few days of needing morphine, she died.

To all women be alert to anything that is not normal, and be persistent in getting help as soon as possible.

Paget's Disease: This is a rare form of breast cancer and is on the outside of the breast, on the nipple and aureole. It appear as a rash, which later became a lesions with a crusty outer edge. Sometimes it itched and sore. It started out as a single red pimple on the aureole. One of the biggest problem with Paget's disease of the nipple is that the symptoms appear to be harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation or infection, leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care.

What are symptoms?

1. A persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your nipple causing it to itch and burn.
2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal.
3. Usually only one nipple is affected. How is it diagnosed? Your doctor will do a physical exam and should suggest a mammogram of both breast done immediately. Even though, the redness, oozing and crusting closely resemble dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). Your doctor should suspect a cancer if the sore is only on one breast. Your doctor should order a biopsy of your sore to confirm what is going on.