Short summary

Paget's Disease of the Nipple (PD) is a less common type of mamma cancer which is associated with underlying malignancy in up to 90% of the cases. The accuracy of diagnostic imaging plays an important role when deciding the surgical strategy. Based on data from about 100 patient journals the aim of this study is to retrospectively investigate the accuracy of MRI in patients with PD.

Rationale

Paget's Disease of the Nipple (PD) is a less common type of mamma cancer. Eczema-like changes on the nipple-areola-complex (NAC) might be the only clinical finding. Though the disease is associated with underlying malignancy in up to 90% of the cases.

The accuracy of preoperative imaging plays an important role when deciding the surgical strategy. Multiple studies suggest that mammography (MMG) has a lower sensitivity compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when investigating pathological changes in association with PD. In the Region of Southern Denmark, the standard diagnostic guidelines for PD include skin biopsy from the NAC followed by preoperative imaging, MMG and MRI.

The aim of this study is to strengthen the knowledge regarding preoperative imaging when investigating underlying malignancy in association with PD. Until now most studies concerning this matter are based on small sample sizes and lack statistical power. This is a retrospective study based on data from about 100 patients with biopsy-proven PD treated at Odense University Hospital in the period from January 2011 to September 2021. All patients must have had preoperative imaging and surgery performed at the facility. Preoperative imaging will be compared to postoperative histopathology to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of MRI in patients with PD.

Description of the cohort

Patients diagnosed with Paget's Disease of the Nipple and treated at Department of Plastic Surgery at Odense University Hospital from January 2011 to September 2021.

Data and biological material

Data from the patient journal:

- Demographic data

- Descriptions of preoperative imaging, the surgical procedure and postoperative histopathology

- Results from a possible sentinel node biopsy

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Plastic Surgery, Odense University Hospital

• MD, Anne Mosebo
• Medical Student, Karen-Lise Madsen

Department of Clinical Pathology, Odense University Hospital

• MD, Anne Marie Bak Jylling

Department of Radiology, Odense University Hospital

• MD, Lisbet Brønsro Larsen