Paget’s Disease of Bone

Paget’s disease of the bone is a rare chronic bone disorder in which there’s excessive and disordered bone turnover with both excessive resorption and formation. This is the process by your body breaks down old bone and creates new bone. A person with Paget’s disease of the bone is more likely to experience bone fractures (breaks). When the disease is around a joint, it can cause arthritis.

Which bones are affected by Paget’s disease of the bone (osteitis deformans)?

Any of your bones can be affected by Paget’s disease. However, your pelvis, skull, spine and leg bones (femur and tibia) are most commonly affected by Paget’s disease. Paget’s disease can affect one bone (monoostotic) or many bones (polyostotic).

Who does Paget’s disease of the bone (osteitis deformans) affect?

Anyone can develop Paget’s disease of the bone, but it’s more common in people who are over the age of 50. People who are from northern Europe or people who are from countries settled by European immigrants are more likely to develop Paget’s disease.

How common is Paget’s disease of the bone (osteitis deformans)?

The number of cases of Paget’s disease of the bone varies from country to country Paget’s disease of the bone is more common in some European countries. Approximately 1% of the population in the United States has Paget’s disease of the bone.

Is Paget’s disease of the bone (osteitis deformans) cancer?

Paget’s disease of the bone isn’t a form of cancer. However, in very rare cases, Paget’s disease of the bone can cause bone cancer (osteosarcoma).

Other conditions have the name of Paget’s that aren’t bone diseases, including:

• Paget’s disease of the breast (also known as Paget’s disease of the nipple): This is a rare form of breast cancer in which cancer cells form in or around your nipple.
• Paget’s disease of the vulva: This is a rare form of skin cancer that forms on the vulva.

These Paget’s diseases are distinct from Paget’s disease of the bone, and they aren’t related.