CYSTOSARCOMA-PHYLLODES OF THE BREAST

Forty-nine patients with cystosarcoma phyllodes (CP), aged 13-81 years , (mean 35.2 years) were studied. Tumor size ranged from 1.9 to 14 cm (mean 5.2 cm). Mean follow-up period was 11.3 years. Tumors were histo pathologically graded as benign, borderline or malignant. Forty-two tu mors were diagnosed as benign; 4 borderline and 3 malignant. Six patie nts had recurrent disease within 6 years of their first surgery. Stati stical analysis showed that age was not a significant factor for predi cting recurrence or malignant histopathology. Five patients with relap se had borderline or malignant tumors larger than 4 cm. The histopatho logic diagnosis was concordant with the clinical course. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size and histology were significant and ind ependent factors for disease-free interval. Breast-conserving surgery with a wide tumor-free margin is preferred in CP, and close follow-up is advised in cases with malignant or borderline histopathology and tu mors larger than 4 cm.