Does mastectomy treat Paget disease of the breast?

Paget disease affects the skin of the nipple and areola and can occur with DCIS or an invasive tumour elsewhere in the breast. Mastectomy removes the breast tissue and nipple-areola area, which may be recommended when the abnormal tissue is widespread, when a clear margin cannot be achieved with breast-conserving surgery, or when imaging or biopsy shows a deeper tumour.

For selected people whose disease is limited, surgery removing the nipple-areola complex and nearby tissue may be possible, often with radiotherapy. The decision depends on examination, mammography or other imaging, biopsy results, tumour extent, and personal priorities. Read more about [Paget Disease of the Breast](/conditions/paget-disease-of-the-breast/) and [Mastectomy](/treatments/surgical-oncology/mastectomy/).

Ask the breast team whether the nipple skin change is isolated or connected to a tumour deeper in the breast. Discuss the planned margins, lymph-node assessment, reconstruction or flat closure, and whether radiotherapy or medicines may follow. If the proposed operation feels unclear, request a review of the imaging and pathology with the surgeon.

Arrange medical assessment for persistent nipple scaling, crusting, burning, bleeding, discharge, inversion, or a sore that does not heal. After treatment, report fever, wound redness, drainage, increasing pain, or new swelling promptly to the surgical team.

Is there a deeper breast tumour as well as Paget disease? Could breast-conserving surgery be suitable? Will lymph nodes be checked? What reconstruction, radiotherapy, or medicine options should I consider?