Malignant Phyllodes Tumor of the Breast: Treatment and Prognosis

Surgery remains the mainstay of the treatment in patients with malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast (MPTB); however, the extent of surgery (breast conserving surgery [BCS] versus mastectomy) and the role of adjuvant radiotherapy have been controversial. We report a single institution's experience with MPTB. We discuss controversial therapeutic aspects of this rare tumor. Seventy patients with MPTB treated primarily with surgery were evaluated. The mean age was 50 years (21–76), and the mean size of the tumor was 6 cm. Thirty‐four (48.6%) patients were treated with total mastectomy, and 36 (51.4%) were treated with BCS (lumpectomy or wide local excision). Microscopic surgical margins were free of tumor in all cases. In 64 (91.4%) patients, margins were ≥1 cm. Remaining 6 (8.6%) patients treated with BCS margins were <1 cm and subsequently radiotherapy was performed. Among 70 patients, 58 (82.9%) had no evidence of disease (NED) after 5 years. The extent of surgery was not significantly related to the 5‐year NED survival rates (82.4% in patients who underwent mastectomy and 83.3% in patients who underwent BCS only or BCS with adjuvant irradiation). The 5‐year NED survival rates in BCS (tumor‐free margin ≥1 cm) and BCS with irradiation (tumor‐free margin <1 cm) groups were identical (83.3%). Our data support the potential use of BCS in patients with MPTB. Mastectomy is indicated only if tumor‐free margins cannot be obtained by BCS. Adjuvant radiotherapy may be considered if tumor‐free margins are <1 cm.     

Phyllodes Tumor of the Breast: Role of CD10 in Predicting Metastasis

Background  

Phyllodes tumors are classified as benign, borderline, and malignant according to a group of histological features. The expression of many biological markers has been explored to discriminate between different grades of phyllodes tumor and to predict their behavior. The immunohistochemical expression of CD10 has been shown to discriminate between benign and other grades of phyllodes tumor but has not been evaluated as a predictor of metastasis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of immunohistochemical staining of stromal CD10 in predicting the likelihood of metastasis in phyllodes tumors.     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of a Benign Phyllodes Tumor of the Breast

Summary

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate a phyllodes tumor of the breast with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Methods

MRI of the breasts was performed using a phased array double breast coil with spectroscopic capability on a 1.5T MR scanner. Post-contrast sequential imaging was done, and the subtracted images were evaluated. Timesignal intensity curves were obtained. MR spectroscopy using BREASE software was also performed.

Results

MRI combined with MR spectroscopy was used in the diagnosis and characterization of a phyllodes tumor of the breast.

Conclusion

MRI and MR spectroscopy may offer an in vivo imaging technique for the characterization of phyllodes tumors of the breast.Key Words: Phyllodes tumor, Magnetic resonance imaging, Magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Slit-like spaces     

A Rare Case of Malignant Phyllodes Tumor of Breast Metastatic to the Skeletal Muscle

Malignant phyllodes tumors are rare fibroepithelial tumor accounting for 0.3 to 0.9% of all breast neoplasms. Distant metastasis occurs in 10–20% of patients, most common sites being the lung and bones. Skeletal muscle metastasis is rarely seen in malignant phyllodes. So far, only one case of malignant phyllodes tumor metastatic to skeletal muscle has been reported in the literature. A 45-year-old perimenopausal woman presented with a lump in her left breast and swelling over the right calf region. Workup showed mass in left breast and metastasis to the right calf muscle along with the lung and multiple bone metastases. She was started on ifosfamide- and adriamycin-based chemotherapy along with zolendronic acid. She received palliative radiotherapy to the spine and right calf region for pain. After 3 cycles, there was progression, so patient was started on second-line chemotherapy with gemcitabine and docetaxel. Patient developed severe pancytopenia after 3 cycles, so further chemotherapy was stopped as patient was not tolerating it.     

乳腺叶状肿瘤X射线表现与临床及病理对照分析

目的探讨乳腺叶状肿瘤X射线表现与其临床及病理改变的相关性,以确定其不同特征及其病理组织学基础,达到提高临床诊断率及指导治疗的目的。方法分析我院2010年1月至2013年1月期间经手术病理证实的28例乳腺叶状肿瘤患者的临床及X射线影像学资料,观察其影像表现并与病理结果进行对照分析。结果 28例乳腺叶状肿瘤中,良性17例,交界性8例,恶性3例。X射线摄片显示瘤体26例,另外2例仅显示单侧乳腺非对称致密影,其中23例均归为BI-RADS 4类或4类以上。肿瘤直径约2.8～10.2 cm。以3 cm为界,肿瘤直径≥3 cm者与〈3 cm者相比,出现良性与非良性叶状肿瘤（交界性及恶性）的概率差异无统计学意义（Ρ〉0.05）。良性和非良性叶状肿瘤的分叶状况差异也无统计学意义（Ρ〉0.05）,然而非良性叶状肿瘤多表现为边界模糊肿块（Ρ〈0.05）。2例良性叶状肿瘤见异常血管,1例良性叶状肿瘤见钙化,良性叶状肿瘤（8/17）和非良性叶状肿瘤（2/11）出现＂透明晕＂征象比较差异无统计学意义（Ρ〉0.05）。结论乳腺叶状肿瘤的一些典型X射线表现结合临床改变有利于早期发现病变,但良性与非良性叶状肿瘤的影像学表现无明显差异,该病的确认及组织学分型必须依靠病理学检查。     

Malignant Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast: A Study in Clinical Practice

Malignant phyllodes tumors are an uncommon breast tumor in clinical practice of surgery. The study population consisted of five consecutive patients. Each patient had complete clinical follow-up with annual mammograms and physical examination in a specialized breast clinic. They were surgically treated for with malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast. All patients are alive and well with a complete follow-up. The first 2 patients had a fine needle aspiration cytology and were surgically treated by a simple mastectomy. The remaining 3 patients were preoperatively diagnosed with core needle biopsy. These 3 patients were treated with a wide excision of the phyllodes tumor with at least a 1-cm margin of normal breast tissue. Mammography was 100% accurate in demonstrating a dense breast mass. In each patient ultrasound suggested heterogeneous internal echoes present in each malignant phyllodes tumor. Fine needle aspiration cytology was of no value in the diagnosis of a phyllodes tumor. Core needle biopsy is highly reliable in establishing a preoperative diagnosis. The most helpful clinical observation of a malignant phyllodes tumor was rapid growth and enlargement, which is frequently noted by the patient.     

Βeta‐Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Production Associated with Phyllodes Tumor of the Breast: An Unusual Paraneoplastic Phenomenon1

Abstract: Phyllodes tumors (PTs) of the breast are uncommon and account for < 1% of all breast tumors. Most patients present with mass lesions; however, there are rare reports of patients presenting with paraneoplastic conditions such as hypoglycemia secondary to insulin‐like growth factor II secretion. A 55‐year‐old woman presented with a rapidly enlarging left breast mass which ulcerated through the skin and invaded the underlying muscle. The serum β‐human chorionic gonadotropin (β‐hCG) level was found to be 58 mIU/mL preoperatively; this dropped to 2 mIU/mL after surgery. Mastectomy showed a 14.5‐cm fibroepithelial neoplasm, the majority of which was composed of a cellular spindle/epithelioid‐cell proliferation with the focal presence of elongated epithelial clefts consistent with a PT. In addition to the presence of unequivocal sarcomatous stromal overgrowth and prominent mitotic activity, there were areas of lace‐like osteoid production by tumor cells, and a diagnosis of malignant PT with osteosarcomatous foci was rendered. Immunohistochemical studies showed focal β‐hCG expression within the epithelioid stroma of the tumor; expression of p63 and cytokeratin was only seen in the epithelial component and there was no expression of placental alkaline phosphatase in either component. Although β‐hCG expression/production has been described in many nontrophoblastic tumors (mostly carcinomas of various organs), to our knowledge this is the first case documenting this in a PT of the breast. Whether this intriguing finding represents an isolated association or has more significant implications remains to be determined.     

A Case of a Giant Borderline Phyllodes Tumor Early in Pregnancy Treated with Mastectomy and Immediate Breast Reconstruction

Breast tumors in pregnancy are often times diagnosed at advanced stages secondary to difficulty distinguishing between pathologic from normal physiologic changes. Often benign, phyllodes tumors are rare fibroepithelial stromal tumors of the breast, most commonly diagnosed in the 4th and 5th decades of life. However, these tumors may be characterized by malignancy with metastases in 10% of cases. In this paper, we report a novel case of a young woman presenting at 8 weeks gestation with a large borderline phyllodes tumor. An exceedingly rare condition, with only nine previously reported cases, phyllodes tumors in pregnancy frequently display more aggressive characteristics with larger median tumor size, more malignant potential, and more rapid growth rate. Here, we describe our experience safely and effectively treating this rare condition in a young gravid women with mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction in the second trimester.     

Surgical Management of Benign and Borderline Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast

Phyllodes tumors (PT) are uncommon fibroepithelial breast neoplasms and there is currently no clear consensual treatment for these tumors. The aim of our study was to evaluate the surgical management and outcome of benign and borderline PT. We retrospectively assessed 76 cases of benign or borderline PT managed at the Leon Berard comprehensive cancer center in Lyon, France between July 2003 and December 2013. The mean age at diagnosis was 37.9 years and the median follow‐up was 58 months. Seventy‐five patients (99%), with a mean tumor size of 27 mm, underwent a breast‐conserving procedure. The tumor margins were considered positive (when the tumor was present at the inked surgical section) in seven of 76 cases (9%) and negative in 65 out of 76 cases (86%). We observed the presence of small negative surgical margins <10 mm in 89% and <1 mm in 71% of the patients. Although no re‐excision was performed to increase these margins, we did not see any increase in the local recurrence rate (4%) when compared to recurrence rates reported in the literature. We thus suggest that systematic revision surgery for close or positive surgical margins for benign PT should not be systematically performed. However, as recurrences occur within 2 years of initial excision, we recommend a regular clinical and imaging follow‐up especially during this period for which patient's compliance is essential.     

Tuberous Breast: A Surgical Challenge

Since the presentation of the tuberous breast deformity by Rees and Aston in 1976, many surgical procedures have been developed, but the correction of such a deformity still remains a surgical challenge. The authors report the last cases treated in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of S?o Jo?o Hospital-Porto and discuss about the ideal procedure which should be used according to the type of deformity. They emphasize the periareolar approach and the good results obtained by the Liacyr Ribeiro technique.     

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberance of the Breast: a Diagnostic Challenge

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an uncommon slow growing neoplasm of the dermis with tendency to invade the subcutaneous tissues. It presents during the third to fourth decade of life and is commonly seen over the trunk, extremities and head and neck. DFSP presenting as a breast lump is rare but few cases have been reported in the literature. Pre-operative diagnosis with mammography, ultrasonography and FNAC is challenging. We report a case of a DFSP of the right breast in a middle aged lady with history of recurrent breast lumps excised and diagnosed in the past as benign. She presented with progressively increasing right breast lump of 2 months duration. She underwent wide local excision and histology revealed dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. In view of its local aggressiveness with incomplete surgical margin, mastectomy was performed.