Phyllodes Tumor, a peculiar breast tumor
This peculiar tumor exhibits a spectrum of behavior, ranging from the benign to the malignant.
Phyllodes (meaning leave-like) tumors are rare breast tumors. They account for less than 1% of all breast tumors. The condition was first described by Johannes Muller in 1838. It affects women almost exclusively. It tends to occur in women aged between 40 and 50, but can occasionally be found in adolescence. This peculiar tumor exhibits a spectrum of behavior, ranging from the benign to the malignant. Doctors classify the disease as benign, borderline and malignant depending on how malignant its features are in the particular situation.
Clinically, it presents as a breast lump which grows rapidly. When it is large, it gives the overlying skin dilated veins, a bluish discoloration and pressure related skin changes. Imaging studies and even fine needle aspiration may not be adequate to establish the diagnosis, which is often made by excisional biopsy (removal of the lump).
Some doctors suggest removal of the tumor with a resection margin of 1cm to improve control of the disease. Simple mastectomy (removal of the whole breast) is indicated for very large tumors or for the tumors exhibiting malignant features. Axillary dissection (removal of lymph nodes in the arm-pit) is usually not required even in case of malignant phyllodes tumor, in contrast to breast cancer. Local recurrence rate is around 15%. Malignant histological (tissue appearance) type and large size of the tumor increase the chance of local recurrence.
Dr Benson Yeung's related hub: How To Treat A Breast Fibroadenoma
MRI image of Phyllodes Tumor
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Comments
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- AUTHOR
Hi mariea walter,
Some phyllodes tumour can have a low-grade malignant potential. You can find out more from your daughter's doctor
I have a 21 yr. old daughter who has just discovered a mass that is a Phyloddes tumor. A core biopsy was done and it was diagnosed as benign.Although we are thrilled,I still have concerns for her future and Breast Cancer,At this age could this be an adolesent type of Phyloddes?
- AUTHOR
Hi carol-anne howard,
best of luck with your surgery. the condition usually carries a good prognosis.
i have just been diagnosed with this condition and am about to undergo a double mastectomy i had never heard of this condition before and my doctors only had one leaflet on this condition i have found out more abouit it on the net
- AUTHOR
Hi Jerilee,
thanks for your follow on comments. I agree entirely. I agree with your comment entirely and look forward to seeing further development of better medical journalism.
Thanks for the link to the New York Times -- seems like a good place to keep up with health issues. I guess for me -- I knew we had lymph nodes, but didn't understand what their role was, especially with breast cancer. It was very frightening to be told that nuclear medicine couldn't find mine, the day before the surgery -- that they ran away was the medical joke.
However, I'm eternally grateful that they were located on the operating table. Those harvested lymph nodes gave up their lives for me to prove no lymph node involvement -- meaning no chemo or radiation -- just Anastrozole for the next five years.
I think we need more hubs explaining things in lay terms to make such life events less intimidating.
- AUTHOR
Hi Jerilee Wei,
thanks for commenting. There is abundant medical literature discussing the importance of treating the lymph nodes. However, very little of this has found its way into literature written for the lay public. That's where good journalists can fit in to turn technical information into a good read. Some writers at New York Times are actually doing a great job
(see http://www.nytimes.com/pages/health/index.html )
regards,
I think this is an important topic to bring to the attention of the public. Here in the U.S. when diagnosed with breast cancer they give you a ton of material on the various kinds -- but looked back and no mention was made of this form.
Another topic I found lacking, having had a masectomy in November for invasive breast cancer was no one, or no literature, discussing the role of lymph nodes and what having them removed involved.
- AUTHOR
Hi quicksand,
thanks for dropping by and commenting.
Beats me too, since I have absolutely nothing to say here, as this hub is exclusively for ladies.
:)
- AUTHOR
Hi BeatsMe,
sounds like my hub did beat you. Thanks for commenting.
Hi. I thought there is only one kind of breast cancer. Thanks for good info. :)
- AUTHOR
Dear Dottie1,
thanks for commenting.
- AUTHOR
Dear einron,
thanks for commenting.
Thank you Doctor Benson.
Thanks for the hub.
- AUTHOR
Dear Shalini Kagal,
thanks for dropping by and commenting.
Thanks Doc for the informative hub!
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