Are phyllodes tumors benign?

Are phyllodes tumors benign?

Most phyllodes tumors are benign. They may look very much like common benign breast tumors called fibroadenomas. Often, the pathologist needs to look at the whole tumor under the microscope to make a diagnosis. This is why surgery to remove a phyllodes tumor is recommended, even if it is thought to be benign.

Can benign phyllodes tumor become malignant?

Very rarely, benign phyllodes tumours can develop into a borderline or malignant phyllodes tumour. If your tumour does come back, you’ll need to have further surgery.

What causes benign phyllodes tumor?

Experts don’t know what causes phyllodes tumors. Women who have a rare genetic disease called Li-Fraumeni syndrome are more likely to have them. They rarely affect men. Women of any age can get phyllodes tumors, but they’re most common in your 40s.

Can phyllodes be mistaken for fibroadenoma?

It has been suggested that phyllodes tumors may be misdiagnosed as fibroadenomas by core biopsy. However, in this case, pathology supports correct initial diagnosis of fibroadenoma and demonstrates a portion of the original fibroadenoma along the periphery of the malignant phyllodes tumor.

How can you tell the difference between a fibroadenoma and an phyllodes tumor?

Phyllodes tumors usually present with a clinically benign breast lump, which may be rapid growing (1, 10). Fibroadenomas, by contrast, tend to be stable or have minimal growth (10).

What percentage of phyllodes tumors are malignant?

Borderline tumors have features in between benign and malignant (cancerous) tumors. Malignant (cancerous) tumors account for about 1 in 4 phyllodes tumors.

Can phyllodes tumor cause pain?

The tumor may grow quickly enough that you can eventually see it under your skin. Even though most phyllodes tumors aren’t cancerous, they can grow and cause pain. If the tumor breaks through your skin, you might see an open sore on your breast.

Do phyllodes tumors metastasize?

Up to 20% of malignant phyllodes tumors (PT) metastasize, most frequently to the lungs, bone, and brain. Descriptions of metastatic PT are limited in the literature. In this series, we present three cases of malignant PT metastatic to various unusual sites including the peritoneum, soft tissue of the thigh, and scalp.

Can phyllodes tumor be diagnosed with biopsy?

Core needle biopsy allows those with a diagnosis of phyllodes tumors to undergo wide excision at an initial operation and minimize the risk of recurrence and reoperation.

Can phyllodes tumor be misdiagnosed?

It has been suggested that phyllodes tumors may be misdiagnosed as fibroadenomas by core biopsy.

Is phyllodes tumor a soft tissue sarcoma?

Metastatic breast sarcomas and malignant phyllodes tumors are managed similarly to metastatic soft tissue sarcomas arising from other anatomic sites, often utilizing first-line doxorubicin-based chemotherapy.

How can you tell the difference between fibroadenoma and phyllodes tumor?

Fibroadenomas grow up to 2-3 cm and then stop growing but phyllodes tumors grow continually and sometimes are to 40 cm big. Both these lesions have two components, epithelial and stromal. Clinically fibroadenomas are well circumscibed, hard, oval, movable lesions.