Phyllodes tumor of the breast: Clinical characteristics, histologic criteria, and treatment options

Objective: Phyllodes tumor is a rare neoplasm of the breast that usually oc curs in older women. We review the clinical management and histologic chara cteristics. Methods: We reviewed the charts and outcome of five women treated for phyll odes tumor over a 1-year period, All specimens were examined by the same pa thologist and the tumors were classified as benign, borderline malignant, o r malignant. Results: Three tumors were benign and two were of borderline malignancy. Th e mean tumor size was 75 mm (range, 60-155 mm). All patients underwent loca l excision and all surgical margins were clear. At 6 months all patients we re free of recurrence. In one woman sonography and magnetic resonance imagi ng showed a lesion suspicious for recurrence but renewed local excision sho wed a fibroadenoma without evidence of phyllodes tumor. Conclusion: Standard interpretation of histologic features is important for evaluating benign and malignant phyllodes tumor. Adequate local excision i s feasible and does not appear to be associated with a high rate of local r ecurrence.