Phyllodes Tumours

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This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.

What is Phyllodes Tumours?

Phyllodes tumours are rare fibroepithelial breast tumors resembling fibroadenomas but with potential malignancy, classified as benign (60%, non-metastatic), borderline (15-20%, local recurrence risk), or malignant (20-25%, metastatic potential to lungs/bones). They grow quickly, affecting women aged 40-50, with ~1 in 100,000 breast tumors in 2025, often large (4-5 cm) at diagnosis.

Symptoms

Symptoms include a rapidly growing, painless breast lump (smooth, firm, mobile), skin stretching/ulceration in large tumors, and rarely nipple discharge or pain. Malignant cases may cause weight loss or fatigue if metastatic. Symptoms mimic fibroadenomas but rapid growth prompts investigation.

Causes

Causes are unknown, but risk factors include prior breast trauma, radiation, or Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Genetic mutations (MED12 in benign, TP53 in malignant) drive progression. No strong hormonal or lifestyle links. In 2025, stromal overgrowth is key.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis uses mammography/ultrasound showing well-circumscribed masses, MRI for size/invasion, and core biopsy for leaf-like architecture. Excisional biopsy confirms grade. In 2025, NGS identifies mutations for risk assessment.

Treatment

Treatment is surgical: wide local excision with 1-cm margins for all grades, mastectomy for large/recurrent. No routine lymph node dissection as axillary spread is rare (<5%). Radiation reduces recurrence in borderline/malignant (by 20%). Chemotherapy/immunotherapy for metastatic malignant cases. In 2025, targeted therapies for TP53 are in trials.

Future Outlook

In 2025, 5-year survival is 95% benign, 85% borderline, 60% malignant. Recurrence is 20-30% malignant. Research on MED12 inhibitors could reduce to 10% by 2030, with 80% malignant survival.

Sources

The information is based on Cleveland Clinic’s “Phyllodes Tumors: Types, Symptoms & Treatment” for types; Medical News Today’s “Phyllodes tumors: Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment” for diagnosis; Healthline’s “Phyllodes Tumor: Treatments, Symptoms, and Causes” for causes; MD Anderson’s “Phyllodes Tumor: Treatments, Symptoms, and Causes” for symptoms; Macmillan’s “Phyllodes tumours” for overview; WebMD’s “Phyllodes Tumors: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis” for diagnosis; Healthline’s “Phyllodes Tumor Surgery Recovery Time” for treatment; Breastcancer.org’s “Cancerous Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast” for malignant; NCI’s “Childhood Breast Tumors Treatment” for related.