Tumor phyllodes / Pyllodes tumor

ABSTRACT

The phylloid tumor (cystosarcoma phyllodes; cellular intracanalicular fibroadenoma, etc.) is a rare condition of the female breast. Recent medical papers assume that 700 cases have been published world wide. We believe this cipher low. We have seen 47 cases (8 of then are very recent, so we use 39 for statistical purposes). It represents, in our series, 0.29% of all breast conditions; 0.27% of the benign ones; and 1.35% in relation to cancer. It is a mostly benign fibroepitelial tumor that, in certain circumstances becomes malignant (qo.25% of sarcomatous transformation in our series). It is most frequent (52%) in the fifth decade of life. also it is found in young women, but very seldon after 60. Microscopical findings are 1§) "invaginating distortion" of lobular elements (acini and ductules) induced by stromal compression; 2§) stromal hypercellularity; 3§) stromal cells frequently with variable degree of atypia (not always indicative of malignancy); 4§) lobular epithelial hyperplasia (inconstant). Its size, when not surgically treated early, can reach to hugemagnitude (we have one "gigantic" of 40 cm diameter and 7K of weight). Clinically shows a lobulated aspect, and alternancy of hard (fibrous), and rather soft (mucinous, or encephaloid) zones. In big tumors, compression can ulcerate skin (10.25%). Cut surface shows clefts (leaflike aspect phylloid); haemorragic zones; and cavities full of old blood, or encephaloid substance. Auxiliary diagnostic means are useful. Mammography shows lobulated contour and non homogeneous density. Paradoxically - for a condition mostly benignant teletermography shows a "hot" image.. Criteria of malignancy are Histologic criteria, unfaithful, histological alarming images, not always are followed by a malignant evolution. Evolutive course simple local recurrence (18% of our series) does not imply malignancy, unless when it shows sarcomatous transformation (10.25%). Methastases are clear indicative of malignancy...