title: A Giant Phyllodes Tumor of the Breast.
abstract: Phyllodes tumors of the breast are rare, accounting for less than 1% of the breast tumors. They are mostly seen in women between 45 and 49 years old. These are fast growing tumors with a large spectrum of behavior (from benign to metastatic) and can resemble fibroadenomas. Correct diagnosis mostly through core needle biopsy is important to decide whether a surgical excision has to be done. Here we report a case of a 57-year-old woman with a fast growing, ulcerated tumor in the left breast. Core needle biopsy suggested a malignant phyllodes tumor with heterologous liposarcomatous differentiation. Treatment with total mastectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy followed. Primary treatment is always surgery, whether radiotherapy or chemotherapy has to follow remains uncertain. There is a high-recurrence rate, especially when the surgical margins are narrow.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, AZ Turnhout , Belgium.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schillebeeckx
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomic Pathology, AZ Turnhout , Belgium.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Verbeeck
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, AZ Turnhout , Belgium.
authors.forename: Geert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Daenen
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, AZ Turnhout , Belgium.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Servaes
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, AZ Turnhout , Belgium.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bronckaers
keywords: Phyllodes tumor; breast; mastectomy