Comparison of predictive factors for the diagnosis and clinical course of phyllodes tumours of the breast.

Background: To compare predicting factors for the diagnosis and clinical course of benign and malign/ borderline phyllodes tumours (PT) of the breast, and to discuss treatment modalities.

Methods: Clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients with histopathological diagnosis of phyllodes tumour were examined. Patients were divided into group 1 (benign PT) and group 2 (borderline/malignant PT). Groups were compared in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics.

Results: Of the patients studied, 37 (68.5%) had benign, 7 (12.9%) had borderline and 10 (18.5) had malignant histopathology. A statistically significant relationship was detected between the incidence of malignancy and mass diameter (p = 0.001) and age (p = 0.030) when the two groups were compared. Wide surgical excision was performed on 46 (82.5%) patients, simple mastectomy on 7 (13%) patients and modified radical mastectomy on one (1.9%) patient. Ten (18.5%) patients were re-operated for surgical margin positivity. Local recurrence was determined only in one (1.9%) patient. Distant metastasis due to malignant PT developed in two (3.7%) patients.

Conclusions: Among the patients who were considered to have PT, malignancy was likely to be present, especially if the patient's age was over 40 and the diameter of the mass was above 33.5 mm. Therefore, in patients with similar characteristics, surgical margins should be kept slightly wider or wider excisions should be preferred with or without simultaneous reconstructive surgery in appropriate cases.