Treatment for Paget’s disease of the nipple will depend on how much of the nipple, areola and breast is involved. Every person is different, and the treatments recommended may vary according to individual circumstances. It is important that you ask as many questions as you need to about the treatments recommended for you.
Where Paget’s disease of the nipple is the only cancer in the breast, treatment will involve surgery and/or radiotherapy. If you have an invasive breast cancer or DCIS in the same breast your treatment options may be different.
Treatment for Paget’s disease of the nipple will usually involve surgery to remove the nipple and some surrounding tissue. If the nipple is the only area of the breast affected, it is possible that only the nipple and an area of healthy tissue around it will be removed. This is known as breast conserving surgery and will usually be followed by radiotherapy. Removal of the whole breast (mastectomy) and/or some of the lymph nodes under the armpit may be necessary for some patients. More information about surgery.
Radiotherapy uses X-rays (controlled doses of radiation) to destroy cancer cells. Radiotherapy is usually given once a day, 5 days a week for 5–6 weeks. For some people, radiotherapy may be the only treatment required after the biopsy. More information on radiotherapy.
