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Paget’s Disease Breast Histology

A simple punch skin biopsy can establish the presence of Paget’s cells. These are large, round, mucin-producing cells within the epidermis. These cells can be confused with similar cells called pagetoid cells, that may be found in melanoma and Bowen’s disease. Thus, if the diagnosis is in doubt, staining of the specimen with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) will be positive for Paget’s disease of the breast and confirm the diagnosis. A deeper excisional biopsy may show intraductal carcinoma, but this is rarely the intent of a skin biopsy.