Going Platinum | A Rare Form of Breast Cancer

[Guest guest]

http://www.goingplatinum.com/channels/womens_health_story.asp?story_id=38816097,

 

A Rare Form of Breast Cancer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: Going Platinum

2003-05-15

 

 

We do not know the author of this story. We do not know the author, nor

the identity of the woman who fell victim to this rare disease. It was not

written by a medical professional and is not presented as a medical report. It

was forwarded to one of our staff members earlier today and we offer it merely

to make women aware of this rare breast cancer known as Paget?s Disease.

 

 

In November, a rare kind of breast cancer was found. The sister of my

friend developed a rash on her breast, similar to that of young mothers who are

nursing. Because her mammogram had been clear, the doctor treated her with

antibiotics for infection. After two rounds, it continued to get worse, and 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, followed by a mastectomy, then a full round of Chemo, and finally

radiation.

 

 

After about nine months of intense treatment, she was given a clean bill

of health. She spent one year of living each day to its fullest, then the cancer

returned to the liver area. She took four treatments and decided that she wanted

quality of life, not the after effects of Chemo. We had five great months and

she planned each detail of her final days. After just a few days of needing

morphine, she slipped away saying she had done what God had sent her into the

world to do, and now it was her time to go. Please be alert to anything about

your breasts that is not normal, and be persistent in getting help as soon as

possible.

 

Following is her message to women everywhere.

 

Paget?s Disease ? This is a rare form of breast cancer that is on the

outside of the breast?on the nipple and areola. In my case, it appeared as a

rash, which later became a lesion with a crusty outer edge. I would not have

never suspected it to be breast cancer, but it was.

 

My nipple did not seem different with the advent of the rash, but the rash

itself bothered me so I went to the doctor. At times, it itched and was sore,

but other than that it didn't bother me. It was just ugly and a nuisance, and

would not be cleared up with all the creams prescribed by my doctor and

dermatologist for the dermatitis on my eyes just prior to this outbreak. They

seemed a little concerned but did not warn me it could be cancerous. Now, I

suspect there are not many women out there who know a lesion or rash on the

nipple or aureola can be breast cancer. Mine started out as a single red pimple

on the areola. One of the biggest problems 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.

 

Symptoms include:

 

1. A persistent redness, oozing and crusting of the nipple causing it to

itch and burn. As I stated, mine did not itch or burn much, and had no oozing I

was aware of, but it did have a crust along the outer edge on one side.

 

2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. Mine was on the areola area

with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple.

 

3. Usually only one nipple is affected.

 

Diagnosis Your doctor will do a physical exam and should suggest having a

mammogram of both breasts immediately. Even though the redness, oozing and

crusting closely resemble dermatitis, inflammation of the skin, your doctor

should suspect cancer if the sore is only on one breast. A biopsy should be

performed.

 

This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many of your

relatives and friends as possible. It could save someone?s life.

 

For one victim the breast cancer has spread and metastasized to her bones

after receiving mega doses of chemotherapy, 28 treatments of radiation and the

medication Tamaxofin. If this had been diagnosed as breast cancer in the

beginning, perhaps it would not have spread. It is sad that women are not aware

of Paget?s Disease.

 

Note: There are two types of Paget?s Disease. This definition was found in

the American Heritage Dictionary. 1. A disease, occurring chiefly in old age, in

which the bones become enlarged and weakened, often resulting in fracture or

deformation. 2. A form of breast cancer affecting the areola and nipple.

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Who is to know if it was not the medical treatment that killed this victim?

 

Lorenzo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TJ Northern [tawnyj5]

Thursday, May 15, 2003 11:44 PM

Gettingwell

Going Platinum | A Rare Form of Breast Cancer

 

 

 

http://www.goingplatinum.com/channels/womens_health_story.asp?story_id=38816

097,

 

A Rare Form of Breast Cancer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: Going Platinum

2003-05-15

 

 

We do not know the author of this story. We do not know the author,

nor the identity of the woman who fell victim to this rare disease. It was

not written by a medical professional and is not presented as a medical

report. It was forwarded to one of our staff members earlier today and we

offer it merely to make women aware of this rare breast cancer known as

Paget?s Disease.

 

 

In November, a rare kind of breast cancer was found. The sister of my

friend developed a rash on her breast, similar to that of young mothers who

are nursing. Because her mammogram had been clear, the doctor treated her

with antibiotics for infection. After two rounds, it continued to get worse,

and 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, followed by a mastectomy, then a full round of Chemo, and

finally radiation.

 

 

After about nine months of intense treatment, she was given a clean

bill of health. She spent one year of living each day to its fullest, then

the cancer returned to the liver area. She took four treatments and decided

that she wanted quality of life, not the after effects of Chemo. We had five

great months and she planned each detail of her final days. After just a few

days of needing morphine, she slipped away saying she had done what God had

sent her into the world to do, and now it was her time to go. Please be

alert to anything about your breasts that is not normal, and be persistent

in getting help as soon as possible.

 

Following is her message to women everywhere.

 

Paget?s Disease ? This is a rare form of breast cancer that is on the

outside of the breast?on the nipple and areola. In my case, it appeared as a

rash, which later became a lesion with a crusty outer edge. I would not have

never suspected it to be breast cancer, but it was.

 

My nipple did not seem different with the advent of the rash, but the

rash itself bothered me so I went to the doctor. At times, it itched and was

sore, but other than that it didn't bother me. It was just ugly and a

nuisance, and would not be cleared up with all the creams prescribed by my

doctor and dermatologist for the dermatitis on my eyes just prior to this

outbreak. They seemed a little concerned but did not warn me it could be

cancerous. Now, I suspect there are not many women out there who know a

lesion or rash on the nipple or aureola can be breast cancer. Mine started

out as a single red pimple on the areola. One of the biggest problems 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.

 

Symptoms include:

 

1. A persistent redness, oozing and crusting of the nipple causing it

to itch and burn. As I stated, mine did not itch or burn much, and had no

oozing I was aware of, but it did have a crust along the outer edge on one

side.

 

2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. Mine was on the areola

area with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple.

 

3. Usually only one nipple is affected.

 

Diagnosis Your doctor will do a physical exam and should suggest

having a mammogram of both breasts immediately. Even though the redness,

oozing and crusting closely resemble dermatitis, inflammation of the skin,

your doctor should suspect cancer if the sore is only on one breast. A

biopsy should be performed.

 

This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many of

your relatives and friends as possible. It could save someone?s life.

 

For one victim the breast cancer has spread and metastasized to her

bones after receiving mega doses of chemotherapy, 28 treatments of radiation

and the medication Tamaxofin. If this had been diagnosed as breast cancer in

the beginning, perhaps it would not have spread. It is sad that women are

not aware of Paget?s Disease.

 

Note: There are two types of Paget?s Disease. This definition was

found in the American Heritage Dictionary. 1. A disease, occurring chiefly

in old age, in which the bones become enlarged and weakened, often resulting

in fracture or deformation. 2. A form of breast cancer affecting the areola

and nipple.

 

 

 

 

 

---

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

 

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.478 / Virus Database: 275 - Release 5/7/2003