Phyllodes Tumors
Phyllodes tumors are rare breast tumors, constituting less than 1% of all breast tumors. These tumors develop in the connective tissue of the breast. They can be benign (non-cancerous), borderline, or malignant (cancerous).Symptoms
- Lump: A firm, smooth lump in the breast that can grow quickly.
- Skin Changes: The skin over the lump may appear shiny or stretched.
Diagnosis
- Imaging: Mammograms and ultrasounds can detect the lump.
- Biopsy: A core needle biopsy or excisional biopsy is used to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
- Surgery: The primary treatment for phyllodes tumors is surgical removal. This can include:
- Wide Excision: Removing the tumor along with some surrounding healthy tissue.
- Lumpectomy: Removing the tumor and a margin of healthy tissue.
- Mastectomy: Removing the entire breast, especially if the tumor is malignant.
- Radiation Therapy: Sometimes used after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence, especially if the tumor is malignant.
Recurrence of phyllodes tumors
The average recurrence rates of phyllodes tumors are approximately 15%, but there is a range from 10% to 40%. The incidence of recurrence is believed to be directly proportional to inadequate initial excision of the tumors. It is not clear if malignant tumors have higher recurrence rates than their benign counterparts, but they do tend to recur earlier, without exception. Clean surgical margins in a lumpectomy is the only predictive factor for the local recurrence of phyllode tumors. It is important to note that most local recurrences are isolated events and are not associated with tumor spread to distant sites. The probability of recurrence makes follow up a necessity.
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References
- Banish Cancer, Discusses phyllodes tumors, benign, borderline, and malignant forms
- WebMD – Reviews phyllodes tumor symptoms, causes, treatment & recurrence
- National Cancer Institute (NCI), Covers phyllodes tumors, their biological behavior, treatment strategies, and ongoing research