Extramammary Pagets Disease (EMPD) is a rare and slow-growing malignancy which occurs within the epithelium and accounts for 6.5% of all Pagets disease. The clinical presentation of this disease is similar to the characteristics of mammary Pagets disease (MPD). However, unlike MPD, which occurs in large lactiferous ducts and then extends into the epidermis, EMPD originates in glandular regions rich in apocrine secretions outside the mammary glands. EMPD incidence is increasing by 3.2% every year, affecting hormonally-targeted tissues such as the vulva and scrotum. In women, 81.3% of EMPD cases are related to the vulva, while for men, 43.2% of the manifestations present at the scrotum.The disease can be classified as being either primary or secondary depending on the presence or absence of associated malignancies. EMPD presents with typical symptoms such as scaly, erythematous, eczematous lesions accompanied by itchiness. In addition to this, 10% of patients are often asymptomatic. As a consequence, EMPD has high rates of misdiagnoses and delayed diagnoses. There are a variety of treatment options available, but most are unsuccessful. If caught early and treated, prognosis is generally good. Presentation
Patients with EMPD present with typical symptoms, similar to MPD, such as severe itchiness (also called pruritus), rash, plaque formation, burning sensation, pain and tenderness. These symptoms are often confused for dermatitis or eczema. 10% of patients are asymptomatic resulting in delayed diagnosis. In rare cases bleeding can also be seen. Disease of the vulva
Vulvar Pagets disease affect women and presents as erythematous (red), eczematous lesions.
Patients with metastatic EMPD only survive for a median of 1.5 years, and have a 7% 5-year survival rate. Prognosis
Prognosis is generally good, but factors such as depth of invasion and duration of disease need to be considered. In primary EMPD, if invasion of the underlying tissue is non-existent or even minimal, treatment options are more likely to be effective, however, if there are signs that the disease has metastasised, the prognosis is usually poor. Epidemiology
EMPD is most prevalent in Caucasian women and Asian men over the age of 60. The invasive form occurs in 5–25% of all EMPD patients and 17–30% of the cases involve an underlying adenocarcinoma. 10-20% of EMPD is of the secondary form. Approximately 10% of patients develop invasive adenocarcinoma that may progress to metastatic disease.The disease affects regions that are rich in apocrine secretions. 65% EMPD occurs at the vulva, followed by 15% at perianal areas and 14% at the male genitalia. In terms of the vulva, the labia majora is the site that is most often involved, followed by labia minora, clitoris and perineum. EMPD originating at the vulva can spread to the upper vaginal mucosa and cervix. Other areas where EMPD can be found, although very rarely, include: the axillae, eyelids, external auditory canal, umbilical region, trunk and extremities. History
The first case of Pagets disease was described by James Paget in 1874.