Phylloids Tumor of the Breast: A 43-Year Study in Cienfuegos

Abstract

Introduction: Phylloids tumor of the breast represents 0.3%-0.4 % of all breast tumors, being a rare neoplasm with a benign epithelial component and a mesenchymal component that can be benign or malignant.

Objective: To characterize the phylloids tumors diagnosed in the province of Cienfuegos in a period of 43 years.

Methods: A descriptive and retrospective study of series of cases was carried out with the 10 320 patients operated on for fibroepithelial tumors within the general surgery service of Hospital General Universitario Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía, of Cienfuegos, along 43 years (January 1980 to December 2022), of which 207 were phylloid tumors of the breast and coincided with the investigated sample. The variables analyzed were type of tumor, sex, age, location, affected breast, tumor size, histological variant, surgical technique and recurrences.

Results: Of the total number of operated on fibroepithelial tumors within the 43 investigated years, only 207 were phylloids ones. The most affected sex was female, together with the ages between 40 and 60 years. The right breast and its upper outer quadrant were the most common site of tumors, with sizes between 5 and 10 centimeters, of which 2.2 % were malignant and treated by Madden mastectomy; while benign tumors were resected with wide excision margin. Recurrences occurred in three benign tumors and in one malignant tumor.

Conclusions: Phylloids tumor of the breast is a fibroepithelial tumor of rare presentation, with low malignancy and recurrence rate.