ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cystosarcoma phyllodes is a rare breast tumour whose behaviour is not well understood by many clinicians. METHODS: In 1998 a retrospective study was undertaken of women diagnosed with phyllodes tumour of the breast who had their initial surgery between 1983 and 1994 in Western Australian public hospitals. RESULTS: Forty women were diagnosed and treated over this period; however, only 28 received ongoing follow-up (70%). Follow-up was obtained on 26 of these. The median age at diagnosis in this group was 46 years. Cases were predominantly Caucasian (85.5%). Postmenopausal women were affected in 26.9% of cases. Four patients had recurrences after surgery (one malignant and three benign). No patient had a recurrence with primary tumours with a diameter of < or = 2 cm. Mean time to recurrence was 35.8 months. CONCLUSIONS: Breast-conserving surgery was used in almost all cases (96.2% of first operations).
