Phyllodes Tumor

Types of Phyllodes Tumors

Phyllodes tumors are divided into three categories: benign, borderline and malignant (cancerous). More than half of identified phyllodes tumors are benign and about one in four phyllodes tumors are malignant. Borderline tumors share some features of both benign and malignant tumors.

Benign phyllodes tumors are less likely to grow quickly and spread, while cancerous tumors may grow more quickly and spread to other areas of the body. Phyllodes tumors account for less than 1 percent of all breast cancers. Cancerous phyllodes tumors are different from the more common types of breast cancer because they occur in the connective tissue of the breast instead of the ducts or glands. Cancerous phyllodes tumors are less likely to spread but can be more difficult to treat when they do spread.

Who is At Risk for Phyllodes Tumors?

Phyllodes tumors can occur at any age but typically affect women in their 40s and 50s. There are also rare cases of phyllodes tumors in people assigned male at birth. Phyllodes tumors are more common in people with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a rare hereditary disorder that increases the risk of certain cancers.

Phyllodes Tumor Symptoms

Phyllodes tumors tend to be:

• Hard, smooth a well-defined.
• Larger than 3 centimeters.
• Fast growing, causing the skin the stretch and become shiny.

Phyllodes tumors are usually painless but can sometimes cause pain or soreness. Malignant phyllodes tumors that have spread may produce other symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath and bone pain.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Phyllodes tumors can often be felt through the skin during a breast examination or seen on an imaging test such as an ultrasound or mammogram. However, they can be difficult to distinguish from fibroadenomas, a more common type of breast tumor that are usually benign.

Phyllodes tumors can be diagnosed with a biopsy. This can either be done with a needle taking a sample of the tumor tissue or through an excisional biopsy, in which the tumor is completely removed. The tissue will then be examined in a laboratory. The biopsy can also determine whether the phyllodes tumor is benign or malignant.

Phyllodes tumors are almost always removed completely with surgery. With benign tumors, usually only the tumor itself needs to be removed, while with borderline or malignant tumors they may need to remove some of the surrounding breast tissue as well. Depending on how much tissue needs to be removed, surgical procedures can include lumpectomy (removal of the tumor and a small portion of the breast), partial mastectomy (partial removal of the breast) and mastectomy (removal of the entire breast).

Radiation therapy may also be given in addition to surgery when the tumor is malignant. Since malignant phyllodes tumors are different from most breast cancers, some common treatments for breast cancer, such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy, are less effective.

Follow-Up Care

Phyllodes tumors can sometimes return in the same place even after they have been removed. For that reason, follow-up care with frequent breast examinations and imaging tests is usually recommended.