Clinicopathologic study of phyllodes tumors of the breast: a report of sixty patients

Objective To explore the clinicopathologic features of phyllodes tumors (PT) of the breast and indentify predictive factors of local recurrence (LR). Methods Data of sixty women with PT were collected and analyzed from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Results Compared with borderline and malignant tumors, the patients suffered from benign disease had longer clinical course, younger age, smaller tumor size and poorer blood supply. Tumors demonstrating pushing borders, mild cellular pleomorphism, unmarked stromal overgrowth, less mitoses or necrosis were more likely to be classified as benign, while invasive borders, moderate or severe cellular pleomorphism, marked stromal overgrowth and necrosis suggested borderline and malignant tumors. The pathological type, type of surgery, mitotic activity and stromal overgrowth were significantly correlated with recurrence. Conclusions Patients suffered from benign disease have younger age, longer clinical course, less malignancy and invasiveness. Patients with borderline or malignant tumors, receiving local excision, with high mitotic activity and marked stromal overgrowth are at high risk for recurrence. Key words: Phyllodes tumor; Breast neoplasm; Clinicopathologic features; Surgery; Prognosis