Q. So, what’s the treatment?
A. That depends on what kind of cancer is discovered in your breast (assuming you’re in the 97% of women whose Paget’s disease stems from an underlying breast cancer). Your treatment will be for the breast cancer you have aside from Paget’s: typically, DCIS, LCIS, IDC, or ILC. In addition, no matter what other type of breast cancer you have, your nipple and areola (the darker area around the actual nipple) will be removed. This gets rid of the Paget cells; you’re basically having a tiny little “nipple mastectomy.” If you’re having a lumpectomy–i.e., you’ll be keeping your breast–ask your doctor about reconstructive nipple surgery. Hey, if insurance covers it, why not, right?
