What is Breast Phyllodes Tumors?

A phyllodes tumor is a rare type of growth that develops in the connective tissue of the breast. When most people think of breast tissue, they think of the parts that make milk (glands) or the fatty tissue that gives the breast its shape. However, the breast also contains connective tissue, which is the firm, supportive structure that holds everything else in place.

This connective tissue is where phyllodes tumors grow. They are usually stiff and fibrous, similar to how scar tissue feels. The name comes from the Greek word phyllon, which means leaf, because these tumors look like a leaf pattern when a doctor views them under a microscope. You might also hear a doctor call them cystosarcoma phyllodes. While most of these tumors are benign (not cancer), some can be malignant (cancer).

How phyllodes tumors developed?

These tumors are quite rare, making up less than 1% of all breast cancer cases. While they have been found in men in very rare instances, they almost always occur in the breasts of women. They can develop at any age, but doctors see them most often in women who are middle-aged. People with a specific genetic condition called Li-Fraumeni syndrome also have a higher risk of developing these tumors.

What signs of a phyllodes tumor are present?

The most common sign is a firm, smooth lump that you can feel in your breast. A phyllodes tumor is usually larger than 3 cm, but it can grow much bigger. One of the most noticeable traits is how fast it grows—it can get much larger in just a few weeks. If it grows quickly, the skin over the lump might feel painful, look very shiny, or even appear see-through. For reasons doctors don't fully understand, these tumors show up in the left breast more often than the right.

If a phyllodes tumor is malignant (cancerous), a person might also experience:

• Exhaustion.
• Shortness of breath.
• Pain in the bones.

These symptoms could be a sign that the cancer has moved beyond the breast and into the lungs or bones.

How are phyllodes tumors identified?

To start, your doctor will likely use imaging tests (like an ultrasound or mammogram) to look at the lump. However, it is very hard to tell a phyllodes tumor apart from a common, harmless lump called a fibroadenoma just by looking at a picture. Because of this, a biopsy is usually necessary. During a biopsy, the doctor uses a hollow needle to take a small sample of the tissue so it can be tested in a lab.

If the needle biopsy does not give a clear answer, the doctor might perform an excision biopsy, which means removing the entire lump to test it. This helps the doctor determine if the tumor is benign, borderline (suspicious), or malignant. If it is cancer, the doctor will then check to see if it has spread to other parts of the body.

What distinguishes a fibroadenoma from a phyllodes tumor?

Fibroadenomas are the most common type of non-cancerous breast lumps. Like phyllodes tumors, they grow in the connective tissue and look very similar on scans. While fibroadenomas are harmless, some experts believe they can sometimes change into phyllodes tumors over time.

It is very important for your doctor to know exactly which one you have because they are treated differently. Fibroadenomas often stay the same size or even shrink on their own. In contrast, phyllodes tumors can grow very fast and become painful, even if they aren't cancerous. Because they grow so quickly, doctors usually want to remove them right away.

Is it necessary to remove phyllodes tumors?

Yes, doctors almost always recommend surgery to remove them. Even if the tumor is benign, removing it prevents it from growing larger, causing pain, or turning into cancer later. Taking it out also means you don't have to worry about frequent biopsies to check if the tumor is changing.

The standard treatment for both benign and malignant phyllodes tumors is a lumpectomy. This is a surgery where the doctor removes the tumor along with a margin (a thin layer of healthy tissue) around it. This extra layer of healthy tissue helps prevent the tumor from growing back. If the tumor is cancerous, the doctor might also suggest radiation therapy after the surgery to make sure all the dangerous cells are gone.

Can phyllodes tumors that are malignant be cured?

Yes, they can. If a doctor can surgically remove the entire tumor before it spreads, the cancer can be cured. It is much easier to treat when the tumor is contained in one spot. If the cancer spreads to other organs, it becomes much harder to treat because chemotherapy—which works well for many other cancers—is usually not very effective against phyllodes tumors.

It is important to keep in mind that these tumors can come back, even years after they were removed. This is true for both the benign and malignant types. If a tumor does return, the doctor will usually perform another surgery to remove it with an even larger area of healthy tissue around it. While most people do well, malignant phyllodes tumors can be very serious, and unfortunately, about 30% of patients with the malignant form may not survive the condition.

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Breast Phyllodes Tumors treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers advanced Breast Phyllodes Tumors treatment in Lucknow, India, at an affordable cost. We have a team of experienced breast surgeons and oncologists, known as some of the best doctors for rare breast tumors. We provide accurate diagnosis with advanced imaging and biopsy tests, personalized treatment including surgical excision and additional therapy when required, and close follow-up care. Our team has decades of experience in successfully treating Breast Phyllodes Tumors cases in Lucknow, India.

To Seek an Expert Consultation for Breast Phyllodes Tumors treatment in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

Request a Call Back