How is Paget's disease of the nipple diagnosed?

How is Paget's disease of the nipple diagnosed?

• A. Fine needle aspiration biopsy
• B. Punch biopsy
• C. Core needle biopsy
• D. Mammography

Answer: (B)

Paget's disease of the nipple is diagnosed primarily through histological examination of skin tissue. The preferred method for obtaining this tissue is a punch biopsy, which involves taking a cylindrical piece of skin. This technique allows for adequate representation of the affected area, including both the superficial epidermis and deeper dermal layers, which is critical for evaluating for malignant changes associated with Paget's disease. In Paget's disease, changes in the nipple epidermis reflect underlying ductal carcinoma, and the punch biopsy can help reveal the presence of atypical cells or carcinoma in situ. While fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsies are useful for evaluating masses or lesions, they may not provide a sufficient sample of the epidermis necessary to diagnose Paget's disease reliably. Mammography, although vital in breast cancer screening and assessment of underlying lesions, does not provide tissue for histopathological analysis and therefore cannot confirm a diagnosis of Paget's disease.

Paget's disease of the nipple is diagnosed primarily through histological examination of skin tissue. The preferred method for obtaining this tissue is a punch biopsy, which involves taking a cylindrical piece of skin. This technique allows for adequate representation of the affected area, including both the superficial epidermis and deeper dermal layers, which is critical for evaluating for malignant changes associated with Paget's disease.

In Paget's disease, changes in the nipple epidermis reflect underlying ductal carcinoma, and the punch biopsy can help reveal the presence of atypical cells or carcinoma in situ. While fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsies are useful for evaluating masses or lesions, they may not provide a sufficient sample of the epidermis necessary to diagnose Paget's disease reliably. Mammography, although vital in breast cancer screening and assessment of underlying lesions, does not provide tissue for histopathological analysis and therefore cannot confirm a diagnosis of Paget's disease.