Paget's disease, or osteitis deformans, is named after the 19th century British pathologist Sir James Paget. Most commonly, Paget's disease describes a pathological condition of the bones, but several other illnesses are also named after Sir James Paget, according to an Aug. 6, 2005 article by Dr. I.C. McManus at thelancet.com. The three forms of Paget's disease as explained by Merck.com are Paget's disease of the bone, Paget's disease of the breast and extramammary Paget's disease. Symptoms are different with each form of the disease.
Paget's Disease of the Bones
Paget's disease of the bone affects approximately 1 percent of the U.S. population over the age of 40, with men more often afflicted than women, according to Merck.com. Paget's disease may cause no symptoms or signs, or there can be accompanying pain and deformity. The disorder is described by Merck.com as a chronic, accelerated rate of bone formation and breakdown that leads to enlarged, thickened, soft and weak bones. Any bone may be involved. There might be hearing problems, tinnitus and headaches if the skull is involved. Stiffness, fatigue, a hobbling gait and deformities of the long bones may also be present.
Paget's Disease of the Breast
Paget's disease of the breast, sometimes called Paget's disease of the nipple, is a rare form of ductal cell breast cancer, according to the Stanford Cancer Center at stanford.edu. Fewer than 5 percent of all breast cancers are of this type; however, about 95 percent of those with Paget's disease of the breast also have an underlying carcinoma, says the National Cancer Institute. The National Cancer institute also states that the condition is rare in both men and women.
Merck.com reports that the malignant cells grow in the skin, causing a rash that may resemble eczema or psoriasis. Early symptoms that often cause a woman to seek medical attention are small bumps on the nipple, with pain and itching. Other associated symptoms are burning, scalding, bleeding and a discharge from the nipple. Physical findings include crusty, thickened plaques on the nipple and areola.
Extramammary Paget's Disease
Extramammary Paget's disease is a rare cancer of the apocrine glands, which may affect the bladder, rectum and anus. The penis can also be a site of this type of cancer, reports Merck.com. These skin manifestations on the penis are actually an intraepithelial adenocarcinoma, the same type of cancer cells found in Paget's disease of the nipple. They appear as well defined, red colored lesions, according to Merck.com, and can be itchy and painful.
