OBJECTIVETo study the clinical features and histologic criteria of Paget's disease of breast, and evaluate the potential prognostic factors for better appropriate treatment strategies.

METHODSThirty-three patients treated for Paget's disease of breast were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe median age of diagnosis was 57 years. Twenty-nine patients were treated by modified radical mastectomy, 4 cases by mastectomy. Twenty-three (69.7%) patients had underlying carcinoma. Twenty-six (78.8%) patients did not have a palpable breast mass, 10 of them was simple Paget's disease, eight had ductal carcinoma in situ, eight had invasive ductal carcinoma. Seven patients had a palpable breast mass, and none of them was simple Paget's disease, except one of them had ductal carcinoma in situ, six had invasive ductal carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONSMost patients with Paget's disease had associated breast carcinoma. Paget's disease of the breast with a palpable breast mass is more likely to be accompanied by an invasive ductal carcinoma and had a poor prognosis. Patients with any nipple complaints deserve a serious investigation.