Paget's disease

noun

Pag·​et's disease ˈpa-jəts- 

1

: a rare form of breast cancer initially manifested as a scaly red rash on the nipple and areola

2

or Paget's disease of bone : a chronic disease that is characterized by one or more enlarged, weak bones (such as of the pelvis, spine, or skull) and may be marked by bone pain but is often asymptomatic

Note: Paget's disease is caused by a high level of bone resorption by osteoclasts followed by rapid formation of structurally unsound bone by osteoblasts. Symptoms include bowing of the long bones, deformation of the skull and pelvis, and abnormal fractures occurring in weakened bone.

Examples of Paget's disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the past two decades, her health struggles have included sarcoma, Paget's disease, seizures and tumors. —Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 6 Aug. 2024

Most people with Paget's disease also develop cancerous tumors in their breast tissue. —Melissa Matthews, Men's Health, 31 May 2023

There was no evidence found for conditions hypothesized by some experts such as otosclerosis or Paget's disease, Begg said. —Fox News, 25 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Sir James Paget †1899 English surgeon

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

Paget's disease

noun

Pag·​et's disease ˌpaj-əts- 

1

: a rare form of breast cancer initially manifested as a scaly red rash on the nipple and areola

2

or Paget's disease of bone : a chronic disease that is characterized by one or more enlarged, weak bones (such as of the pelvis, spine, or skull) and may be marked by bone pain but is often asymptomatic

Note: Paget's disease is caused by a high level of bone resorption by osteoclasts followed by rapid formation of structurally unsound bone by osteoblasts. Bowing of the long bones, deformation of the flat bones, and abnormal fractures occur in the weakened bone.

called also osteitis deformans, osteodystrophia deformans