40. Paget disease of the breast

Overview

Staining: HE

Organ: Nipple

Description:

The squamous cells of the epidermis are replaced by tumor cells showing significant atypia.

The actual tumor or DCIS is not visible on this slide.

Diagnosis: Paget disease of the breast

Causes:

• Cancer cells invading the epidermis of the nipple

Theory:

Paget disease of the breast can occur both in DCIS and in invasive carcinoma. It can look like eczema.

Left: Area of Paget disease. Right: Area unaffected by tumor cells. Both pictures are taken from the same slide but from different areas.