Paget's Disease
Medical Author:
Jason C. Eck, DO, MS
Jason C. Eck, DO, MSDr. Eck received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Catholic University of America in Biomedical Engineering, followed by a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University. Following this he worked as a research engineer Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Paget's Disease OverviewPaget's disease of the bone is the second most common bone disorder in elderly patients. (Osteoporosis is the most common.) Paget's disease is a disorder that affects the normal remodeling process of bone. In normal bone, the bone constantly remodels. In the remodeling process, old bone is removed and new bone is formed. In patients with Paget's disease, this process is altered. These patients have an excessive amount of bone resorption (removal) followed by an even more excessive amount of new bone formation. Unfortunately, this increased rate of bone remodeling leads to new bone that is not as strong as normal bone. This abnormal bone is weaker, has more blood vessels, and is larger in size than normal bone. While most cases do not cause symptoms, some patients may develop pain, fractures, or even malignant transformation into sarcoma (bone tumor), although this is rare. Men are affected by Paget's disease slightly more often than women (3:2 male-to-female ratio). Paget's disease is more common in patients of Northern European ancestry, most commonly in those from Great Britain. It is rare in Asia and Africa. It is more common with increasing age, typically diagnosed in people in their 50s. Up to three million people in the United States are estimated to have Paget's disease. Viewer Comments & ReviewsPaget's Disease - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:The symptoms of Paget's disease vary from patient to patient. What were the symptoms at the onset of your disease? Paget's Disease - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What symptoms did you experience with Paget's Disease? |
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Paget Disease
What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and loss of bone tissue that leads to weak and fragile bones.
What Causes Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis occurs when the body fails to form enough new bone, when too much old bone is reabsorbed by the body, or both. Women are at a greater risk than men, especially women who are elderly, thin, or small. Other risk factors include the following:
- Inadequate calcium and vitamin D ingestion
- Lack of weight-bearing exercises
- Excessive corticosteroid (for example, prednisone [Deltasone, Meticorten]) use
- Thyroid problems
- Bone cancer
- Postmenopause
- Whit...
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Paget Disease »
Paget's disease (Paget disease), characterized by excessive and abnormal remodeling of bone, is a common disorder in middle-aged and elderly patients.
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