Phyllodes tumor

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Phyllodes tumors (from Greek: phullon leaf) are large, bulky, fast growing masses that form from the intralobular stroma of the breast. They may be considered benign, borderline, or malignant depending on infiltration and mitoses. Phyllodes tumors are a fibroepithelial tumor composed of an epithelial and a cellular stromal component. The tumors have a leaf-like appearance that extends into the ducts of the breast. They account for less than 1% of all breast neoplasms.

Patients may be affected at any age in their adult life, but occurrence is most common pre-menopause between the ages of 40 and 50.

The common treatment for phyllodes is wide local excision. Although most patients are cured with surgery, the risk of developing local recurrence or metastases is related to infiltrating margins, degree of stromal mitotic activity, nuclear pleomorphism, and stromal overgrowth.