Phyllodes tumor: an unexpected tumor of the breast. A report on six patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of adjuvant radiotherapy for an unexpected malignancy of the breast, known as phyllodes tumor, a retrospective study was undertaken.


METHODS
Between 1994 and 2002, six female patients with a phyllodes tumor (borderline, n = 2; malignant, n = 4) were irradiated after modified radical mastectomy at our institution. No patient received adjuvant systemic therapy.


RESULTS
Two patients experienced local failure, after 17 months (malignant) and 23 (borderline) months of observation. One of the patients with local relapse died intercurrently, the other because of multiple pulmonary metastases. Four patients are alive and show no evidence of disease. Median follow-up was 33.8 months (range 29-42 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the data from the literature and the authors' findings, it is concluded that surgery with wide negative margins is the preferred initial treatment option. There is no indication for axillary dissection, since these tumors rarely metastasize to regional lymph nodes. In patients with phyllodes tumors showing adverse prognostic factors, postoperative irradiation is recommended.
Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical School, Graz, Austria. heidi.stranzl@klinikum-graz.at
Heidi
H
Stranzl
Florentia
F
Peintinger
Arnulf
A
Hackl
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical; D008875:Middle Aged; D003557:Phyllodes Tumor / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors