Giant malignant mammary phyllodes tumor: report of a case and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
To distinguish between a benign and malignant phyllodes tumor before surgery is difficult. Wide excision or mastectomy with adequate free margins is necessary in the case of a malignant phyllodes tumor. However, repairing the skin defect after removal of a giant malignant phyllodes tumor is a great challenge for the breast surgeon.


METHODS
We report the case of a 45-year-old Taiwanese woman with a giant malignant phyllodes tumor measuring 30 x 25 x 22 cm. Prior to surgery, we carefully designed a flap to cover the skin defect, following standard mastectomy with at least 2 cm free margins. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well without any wound infection or flap necrosis. During follow-up at our outpatient department, there was no evidence of local relapse or distant metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
Giant malignant phyllodes tumors can be treated by total mastectomy with adequate free margins, using a flap technique to cover the skin defect.
Hsu
Sheng-Der
SD
Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Chou
Shao-Jiun
SJ
Hsieh
Huan-Fa
HF
Chen
Teng-Wei
TW
Cheng
Ming-Fang
MF
Yu
Jyh-Cherng
JC
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015413:Mastectomy, Simple / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D003557:Phyllodes Tumor / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome