Phyllodes tumor of breast: a review article

Massive malignant phyllodes tumor accompanied by anemia and ulceration in the breast: A case report

Large malignant breast phyllodes tumors are uncommon in clinical settings. Here, we report such a case to provide a reference for clinical work. A 48-year-old woman identified a lump in her right breast, which eventually grew up to 25 cm × 10 cm and began to rapidly bleed and ulcerate within 3 months. The patient had visible signs of anemia and significant emaciation as a result of the tumor's wasting effect and the protracted course of the disease. The patient underwent a modified radical mastectomy on the right breast. The pathology results obtained after surgery revealed a malignant phyllodes tumor. No adjuvant therapy, such as chemotherapy or radiation, was administered. The patient had no symptoms of tumor recurrence and complications from the surgery after a follow-up of 9 months.

Clinical presentation and radiologic imaging findings of phyllodes tumors: benign and borderline/malignant phyllodes tumors

Background

Phyllodes tumor is a rare fibroepithelial neoplasm of the breast, which is classified histologically as benign, borderline, or malignant. Accurate preoperative diagnosis allows the correct surgical planning and reoperation avoidance.

Objective

To describe the clinical presentation and radiologic features of phyllodes tumors and differentiate between benign and non-benign (borderline and malignant) groups.

Methods

A retrospective study of 57 patients with a diagnosis of phyllodes tumor who had preoperative imaging (mammography, ultrasound, or CT chest) and histological confirmation. The data was collected from 1 June 2011 to 30 September 2021. The imaging features of the phyllodes tumors were described according to the 5th edition of the ACR BI-RADS lexicon. For comparing between two groups, the student t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analyses. The logistic regression analysis was calculated for non-benign phyllodes tumor prediction.

Results

From 57 patients, the pathologic results were benign for 43 cases and non-benign phyllodes tumors for 14 cases. There was no differentiation of mammographic and CT features between benign and non-benign groups. Non-benign phyllodes tumors had the statistical significance of menopausal status, entire breast involvement, tumor size larger than 10 cm, and heterogeneous echo on univariable analysis. After multivariable analysis, menopausal status (odd ratios=13.79, p=0.04) and presence of vessels in the rim (odd ratios=16.51, p=0.019) or absent vascularity (odd ratios=8.45, p=0.047) on doppler ultrasound were significantly increased possibility of non-benign phyllodes tumor.

Conclusions

Menopausal status and presence of vessels in the rim or absent vascularity on Doppler ultrasound were important predictors for the diagnosis of non-benign phyllodes tumor.

A case of phyllodes tumor with rapid growth during pregnancy and lactation period: a case report

BACKGROUND

The age of onset of the phyllodes tumor is generally in the late 40 s, and diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy and lactation are rare. We herein present a case of a phyllodes tumor that rapidly increased in size during the pregnancy and lactation period.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 39-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a mass in the right breast that increased in size during the pregnancy and lactation period. On ultrasound (5 week postpartum), a well-defined lobulated mass with internal septations and fluid retention was observed. Magnetic resonance imaging of the breast at 8 week postpartum revealed a 70-mm-sized smooth-margin mass with multilocular cystic components. Marked proliferation of stromal cells with high cell density was observed in a biopsy specimen taken at the previous hospital. We diagnosed the mass as a phyllodes tumor of borderline malignancy and excised it at 13 week postpartum. The excised tumor was 85 mm in diameter and its interior was filled with a milk-like substance. Histologically, there was only a mild increase in stromal cell density but fibrosis with associated degeneration was prominent. The final diagnosis was benign phyllodes tumor with degeneration.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a case of a phyllodes tumor that rapidly increased in size during pregnancy and the lactation period. The accumulation of a milk-like substance was thought to be responsible for the rapid growth of the tumor.

Giant phyllodes tumor of the breast: A case report

Phyllodes tumors of the breast are rare fibroepithelial neoplasms that account for less than 1% of all breast tumors. They tend to affect middle-aged women, who present with a rapidly growing, palpable mass. Here we present a case of a 34-year-old female surrogate mother without any reported personal or family history of breast cancer who presented with a rapidly growing left breast mass, pathologically proven to be a phyllodes tumor. The patient was a G7P7 surrogate mother who received estrogen and progesterone injections for her twin surrogate pregnancy starting 4 months before embryo implantation, after which, she discovered a large palpable mass in the left breast at approximately week 7 gestational age. At the initial presentation, the patient was at week 23 gestational age. She underwent C-section delivery of the twins at this time and obtained further work-up of the mass. She had a core needle biopsy which yielded a benign fibroepithelial tumor. Due to the size of her breast mass and atypical morphology, including extension to the nipple, and skin ulceration, the patient subsequently underwent left mastectomy. At the time of mastectomy, which was 8 months after the initial work-up, the mass had grown to measure approximately 12 × 10 cm on physical examination and took up most of her left breast. It was completely resected and was pathologically determined to be a borderline phyllodes tumor. Only a few cases have been reported about the development of phyllodes tumor during pregnancy in the literature, and we believe this is the first case report of phyllodes tumor related to a surrogate pregnancy. Although the relationship between exogenous hormones and fibroepithelial tumors is not well understood, the case poses the clinical question if screening mammograms should be offered to patients undergoing exogenous hormonal therapy, regardless of age to establish a baseline and monitor for the development (if any) or growth of these tumors.

Margin status impact on recurrence of phyllodes tumors in high-risk groups: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Phyllodes tumor (PT) is an fibroepithelial tumor with potential for local recurrence. The optimal margin for surgical resection of PT is still debated, particularly in cases of positive margins. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for phyllodes tumor recurrence and the effect of a free margin on tumor recurrence by considering these risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective observational study of patients diagnosed with PT who had undergone surgical management. The data were collected from medical records from 2001 to 2020 in the breast clinic of Shahid Motahhari Clinic of Shiraz. Patients were followed up for at least 3 years after the operation to be checked for local recurrence or distant metastasis at regular intervals.

RESULTS

This retrospective study included 319 patients with PT who underwent surgical management. Of these patients, 83.9% (n = 267), 7.6% (n = 24), and 8.5% (n = 27) were classified as benign, borderline, and malignant, respectively. 8.8% of all patients and 7.6% of non-malignant cases experienced local recurrence, and risk factors for recurrence included oral contraceptive use, smoking, size > 4 cm, stromal overgrowth, and stromal cell atypia. A negative surgical margin decreased the prevalence of recurrence in tumors > 4 cm and with stromal overgrowth significantly.

CONCLUSION

The study found that a negative margin in all patients did not reduce the recurrence rate in benign and borderline phyllodes tumors, suggesting close follow up as a reasonable alternative. However, a negative margin may be effective in reducing recurrence in certain high-risk groups.

Diagnosis of Infarcted Breast Lesions on FNAC, a Blustering Fool: Short Case Series

Introduction

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is often used as a screening tool. Cytopathologist should be aware of various mimickers of the malignancy. One of these is infarction of benign breast lesions. Careful examination of cytomorphological features will avoid the misdiagnosis of malignancy in such cases.

Material and Methods

Six cases were diagnosed as benign breast lesion for 4 years and 5 months in our newly established tertiary referral center. Histopathology follow-up was available in one case.

Results

Of six cases, three cases (50%) were reported as fibroadenoma with infarction, two cases (33%) as benign breast lesion with infarction favor fibroadenoma, and one as breast lesion with infarction favor phyllodes tumor in view of recurrence. Most were in the second or third decade of their life. All cases showed dyscohesive cells with pyknotic nuclei. Monolayered sheets of necrotic cells were seen in the four cases (66%). Viable cells were seen in four cases.

Conclusions

FNAC provides a rapid and accurate diagnosis of benign breast lesions with infarction in the hands of experienced pathologists who can help in better patient care. Small-sized uniform pyknotic nuclei of dyscohesive cells and regular nuclear membranes help to differentiate them from inflammatory and malignant lesions.

Effect of radiation therapy on patients with stage T3 or T4 malignant phyllodes tumors: a retrospective observational study based on SEER

PURPOSE

Among all primary breast tumors, malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast (MPTB) make up less than 1%. In the treatment of phyllode tumors, surgical procedures such as mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery are the mainstay. MPTB has, however, been controversial when it comes to treating it with RT. We aimed to explore the prognostic impact of RT and other clinicopathologic factors on long-term survival for patients with stage T3 or T4 malignant phyllodes tumors.

METHODS

We select patients with stage T3 or T4 MPTB who qualified for the criteria between 2000 and 2018 via the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. We performed 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) and Kaplan-Meier analysis to explore the role of RT in long-term survival of patients with stage T3 or T4 MPTB. A univariate and multivariate analysis of breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) risk factors was carried out using a Cox proportional hazards model. In addition, the nomogram graph of OS and BCSS was constructed.

RESULTS

A total of 583 patients with stage T3 or T4 malignant phyllodes tumors were included in this study, of whom 154 (26.4%) received RT, and 429 (73.6%) were treated without RT. Before adjustment, between groups with and without RT, BCSS (p = 0.1) and OS (p = 0.212) indicated no significant difference respectively. Using of PSM, the two groups still did not differ significantly in BCSS (p = 0.552) and OS (p = 0.172). In multivariate analysis, age (p < 0.001), surgery of primary site (p < 0.001) and distant metastatic status (p < 0.001) were related to prognosis, while RT still did not affect BCSS (p = 0.877) and OS (p = 0.554).

CONCLUSION

Based on the SEER database analysis, the study suggests that the patients with stage T3 or T4 MPTB treated with RT after surgery didn't have significant differences in BCSS or OS compared to those not treated with RT.

The Genetic Landscape of Fibroepithelial Lesions of the Breast

Fibroepithelial lesions of the breast encompass a broad spectrum of lesions from fibroadenomas and their variants to phyllodes tumors, including their clinical range of benign, borderline, and malignant. Classification of this spectrum of neoplasms has historically and currently been based purely on morphology, although the nomenclature has shifted over the years largely due to the significant histologic overlap that exists primarily within the cellular fibroadenomas to borderline malignant phyllodes tumor categories. A review of the current diagnostic challenge, proposed ancillary studied and their value in prognostic significance, is provided. This article highlights the most recent molecular and genetic findings as well as the limitations of the studies, in the context of practical and available applications for the diagnostician and managerial implications for the clinician.

Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast: Canadian National Consensus Document Using Modified Delphi Methodology

PURPOSE

Phyllodes tumors are rare breast neoplasms with limited prospective data to guide treatment, leading to heterogeneous management of this disease. We developed National consensus statements using modified Delphi methodology including patients and practitioners across Canada.

METHODS

Statements were developed based on a literature review. Two iterations of surveys were distributed with a planned virtual consensus meeting. Panelists were invited from surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, pathology, radiology, and plastic surgery.

RESULTS

Twenty-three participants attended the virtual conference. One hundred statements regarding diagnostics, pathology, surgical planning, adjuvant therapies, recurrence, surveillance, and patient support were approved with an a priori defined consensus of ≥ 80%. Two tables on locoregional management were developed and approved. The management of borderline phyllodes tumors was a source of uncertainty, and recommendations reflect the lack of evidence in this rare presentation.

CONCLUSION

A consensus document containing all approved statements for the care and management of phyllodes tumors was developed to help guide practice and future research.

Approach to the growing breast lump during lactation

Physiological changes during pregnancy and lactation result in increased lumpiness of the breast. This makes the evaluation of the breast challenging. Although most self-detected lumps, during this period, tend to be benign, the priority in these patients is to exclude tumours that may require prompt management. We present a case of phyllodes tumour that occurred during lactation and discussed the resultant pitfalls that may occur during the triple assessment of a breast lump in a lactating mother.

Breast Sarcomas, Phyllodes Tumors, and Desmoid Tumors: Turning the Magnifying Glass on Rare and Aggressive Entities

Breast sarcomas (BSs), phyllodes tumors (PTs), and desmoid tumors (DTs) are rare entities that arise from connective tissue. BSs can be classified as either primary or secondary, whether they develop de novo or after radiation exposure or lymphedema. PIK3CA seems to play an important common role in different BS. Malignant PTs show similar behavior to BSs, while DTs are locally aggressive but rarely metastasize. BSs usually present as unilateral, painless, rapidly growing masses with rare nodal involvement. The diagnosis should be based on magnetic resonance imaging and a core needle biopsy. Staging should comprise a chest computed tomography (CT) scan (except for benign PT and DT), while abdominal and pelvic CT scans and bone scans should be added in certain subtypes. The mainstay of treatment for localized BS is surgery, with margin goals that vary according to subtype. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be used as neoadjuvant or adjuvant approaches, but their use in these settings is not standard. Advanced BS should be treated with systemic therapy, consistent with recommendations for advanced soft tissue sarcomas of other topographies. Given the rarity and heterogeneity of these entities, multidisciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration and treatment at reference centers are critical.

Machine Learning-Based Ultrasound Texture Analysis in Differentiation of Benign Phyllodes Tumors from Borderline-Malignant Phyllodes Tumors

PURPOSE

 Phyllodes tumors (PTs) are uncommon fibroepithelial breast lesions that are classified as three different forms as benign phyllodes tumor (BPT), borderline phyllodes tumor (BoPT), and malignant phyllodes tumor (MPT). Conventional radiologic methods make only a limited contribution to exact diagnosis, and texture analysis data increase the diagnostic performance. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the contribution of texture analysis of US images (TAUI) of PTs in order to discriminate between BPTs and BoPTs-MPTs.

METHODS

 The number of patients was 63 (41 BPTs, 12 BoPTs, and 10 MPTs). Patients were divided into two groups (Group 1-BPT, Group 2-BoPT/MPT). TAUI with LIFEx software was performed retrospectively. An independent machine learning approach, MATLAB R2020a (Math- Works, Natick, Massachusetts) was used with the dataset with p < 0.004. Two machine learning approaches were used to build prediction models for differentiating between Group 1 and Group 2. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyses were performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of statistically significant texture data between phyllodes subgroups.

RESULTS

 In TAUI, 10 statistically significant second order texture values were identified as significant factors capable of differentiating among the two groups (p < 0.05). Both of the models of our dataset make a diagnostic contribution to the discrimination between BopTs-MPTs and BPTs.

CONCLUSION

 In PTs, US is the main diagnostic method. Adding machine learning-based TAUI to conventional US findings can provide optimal diagnosis, thereby helping to choose the correct surgical method. Consequently, decreased local recurrence rates can be achieved.

Clinico-Pathological Factors Determining Recurrence of Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast: The 25-Year Experience at a Tertiary Cancer Centre

BACKGROUND

Phyllodes tumors (PTs) of the breast are rare fibroepithelial tumors that are generally more prone to recurrence.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the clinicopathological features, diagnostic modalities, and therapeutic interventions, along with their respective outcomes, to identify the factors associated with a recurrence of PTs of the breast.

METHODOLOGY

A retrospective cohort and observational study was conducted, which entailed analyzing the clinicopathological data of patients who were previously diagnosed or presented with PTs of the breast between 1996 and 2021. Data included the total number of patients diagnosed with PTs of the breast and their ages, tumor grade on initial biopsy, tumor location (left or right breast), tumor size, therapeutic interventions carried out (including surgery-either mastectomy or lumpectomy-and adjuvant radiotherapy), final tumor grade, recurrence status, type of recurrence, and time to recurrence.

RESULTS

We analyzed data on a total of 87 patients who were pathologically proven to have PTs, and 46 patients (52.87%) were found to have recurrences. All patients were female, with a mean age at diagnosis of 39 years (range 15-70). Patients aged <40 years had the highest incidence of recurrence, with a rate of 54.35% (n = 25/46), followed by patients aged >40 years, with a rate of recurrence of 45.65% (n = 21/46). A total of 55.4% of patients presented with primary PTs and 44.6% had recurrent PTs at presentation. The average time to local recurrence (LR) from the completion of treatment was 13.8 months, whereas for systemic recurrence (SR), it was 15.29 months. Surgery (mastectomy/lumpectomy) was the major determinant for local recurrence (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) had a minimal recurrence of PTs. Patients who were found to have a malignant biopsy on initial diagnosis (triple assessment) had a higher incidence of PTs and were more prone to SR than LR. Surgery was a determining factor in the increased rate of LR, with lumpectomy associated with a higher incidence of LR than mastectomy.

Phyllodes tumour initially diagnosed as keloid

It is unusual to find a breast tumour in a keloid, as the management of both is distinct. In this case, a young woman was operated on 4 years ago, for a right chest wall swelling, situated near the inframammary fold. The histopathological report revealed a granuloma, for which anti-tuberculosis treatment was given. However, the swelling recurred and progressed in size over the next 3 years. Then, she consulted the dermatology department, where the swelling was managed as a keloid. There was no remission. Consequently, the possibility of a breast tumour was suspected, and the patient was referred to breast services (subdivision of the surgery department).Triple assessment of the breast lump was suggestive of a phyllodes tumour (PT). Surgical excision of the tumour was done, which showed a malignant PT. Radiotherapy was given and delayed breast reconstruction was planned.

Bilateral Concurrent Benign Phyllodes Tumor in a 43-Year-Old Female: A Case Report

Phyllodes tumor is considered a rare form of breast tissue neoplasm that presents as a rapidly growing painless mass. This neoplasm is classified as benign, borderline, or malignant and standard treatment consists of surgical excision with clear margins. The vast majority of reported cases have described the unilateral presentation of this tumor, making bilateral presentation a rare find. Our case describes a 43-year-old Hispanic woman with a history of fibroadenomas who was found to have concurrent benign bilateral phyllodes tumors.

Rethinking on the management strategy of malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast: An analysis based on the SEER database

Malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast (MPTB) is a rare breast neoplasm that has a high recurrence rate and its optimal treatment strategies remain controversial. Our study used the most up-to-date database to determine prognostic factors that predict cancer-specific survival (CSS) and to evaluate the effects of different treatment strategies for MPTB. We performed a retrospective cohort study using the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Women who were diagnosed with MPTB from 2000 to 2019 were included. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to evaluate the prognostic power of variables on CSS. A total of 1902 women with MPTB were included in the study, with a median follow-up duration of 87.5 months. Age was found not to independently predict CSS in patients with tumors larger than 10 cm (P = .235). Mastectomy was performed on a total of 898 (47.2%) patients including 210 women (23.4%) undergoing radiotherapy after surgery. Mastectomy showed worse CSS when compared with breast-conserving surgery in patients with tumors smaller than 10 cm. Patients undergoing radiotherapy were not inferior to non-radiotherapy patients on CSS when patients were stratified by tumor size. Breast-conserving surgery showed survival benefits for patients with small tumors (T1 and T2). Patients with radiotherapy were not inferior to non-radiotherapy patients on CSS. Treatment of patients with MPTB should be carefully selected based on different tumor sizes.

Combined use of shear-wave elastography and Doppler ultrasonography in equivocal fibroepithelial lesions of the breast diagnosed by core needle biopsy

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of shear-wave elastography (SWE) combined with Doppler ultrasonography (US) in selecting equivocal breast fibroepithelial lesions (FELs) for follow-up without further excision.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 88 patients with equivocal breast FELs (FELs with the possibility of both fibroadenoma [FA] and phyllodes tumor [PT]) diagnosed by core needle biopsy (CNB). For post-CNB treatment, surgical or vacuum-assisted excision was performed on 88 equivocal FELs, of which 56 were diagnosed as FAs and 32 as PTs on histopathology. Mean elasticity (Emean) and vascularity were determined using SWE and Doppler US. The diagnostic performances of B-mode US, SWE, and Doppler US were calculated to differentiate FAs and PTs in the excised equivocal FELs.

RESULTS

In the excised equivocal FELs diagnosed by CNB, FAs showed significantly lower median Emean values (36.4 vs. 66.7 kPa, P=0.005) and more frequent low vascularity (0-1 vessel flow signal) (P<0.001) than PTs. For the differentiation of FAs and PTs, the combination of Emean of >60.9 kPa and high vascularity (≥2 vessel flows) showed a sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100%, as well as better performance in other diagnostic values than B-mode US alone (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System ≥4A) (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Equivocal breast FELs showing both low elasticity and low vascularity were not upgraded to PTs upon further excision. Therefore, the combination of SWE and color Doppler US mode might help select patients with equivocal FELs for whom further excision is unnecessary.

Ureteral tumor with morphological features analogous to phyllodes tumor: a unique case with concomitant urothelial carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Phyllodes tumors belong to a spectrum of biphasic fibroepithelial lesions and are most commonly found in the breast. They are extremely rare in the urinary tract and only one case of bladder phyllodes tumor has been reported.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a 69-year-old man with gross hematuria without an apparent cause. Computed tomography-urography and cystoscopic examination revealed a 5 × 4 cm lesion in the right ureteral orifice. He underwent a laparoscopic nephroureterectomy and partial cystectomy. Postoperative pathology confirmed a leaf-like structure consisting of myxoid stroma and peripheral urothelium. Stromal cells were spindle-shaped and stellate in appearance with no conspicuous cytological atypia or mitosis. The outlining urothelium had varying degrees of dysplasia, while in areas with moderate-to-severe dysplasia, active mitotic activity, abnormal giant cells, and focal early infiltration were observed. Overall, this case had the morphological features of benign phyllodes tumors and concomitant invasive urothelial carcinoma inside. The patient remained disease-free at 7 months after surgery.

CONCLUSION

We report the first ureteral tumor with the morphological characteristics of a phyllodes tumor and concomitant invasive urothelial carcinoma inside. Considering the potential for local recurrence of phyllodes tumors and invasive urothelial carcinoma, long-term clinical and radiological follow-up of such lesions are advisable.

Giant Malignant Phyllode Tumor: A Case Report

Phyllodes are an uncommon type of fibroepithelial neoplasm of the breast, which account for only 0.3 to 0.5% of all breast neoplasms. Management requires complete surgical excision with negative margins. Giant phyllode tumors portray a surgical challenge because complete surgical excision with negative margins is vital to reduce local recurrence and metastatic spread. Here, we report a case of giant malignant phyllode tumor, approached with wide local excision and negative margins were successfully achieved. The purpose behind this paper is to report the patient's clinical history, presentation, intra-operative and histopathological findings, accompanied by a literature review to determine the significance of this finding and the approach in management.

Malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast with metastases to the lungs: A case report and literature review

Phyllodes tumors (PTs) are rare fibroepithelial neoplasms of the breasts. Approximately 10%-15% of PTs are malignant, and 9%-27% of patients with malignant PTs, develop metastatic disease. The lungs are the most common target organ for distant metastasis of PT. We report a case of 44-year-old female with a malignant PT. It had recurred locally 3 times, and 3 relapses occurred 13 months after the first diagnosis, presenting multiple metastases to the lungs by CT scan. The patient underwent radiation therapy, and palliative chemotherapy with doxorubicin was initiated. Two courses of doxorubicin therapy were administered, but the patient expired 16 months after PT diagnosis. We present a rare case of malignant PT with local recurrences, lung metastases, and poor patient outcome. Although malignant breast PTs have an unfavorable prognosis, adjuvant radiotherapy combined with margin-negative resection may be associated with decreased local recurrence and distant metastasis rates. Future research should include randomized clinical trials or well-designed prospective matched studies to clarify the effectiveness of treatments of PTs.

Complex chest wall reconstruction after excision of malignant phyllodes tumour

Phyllodes tumour is a rare breast tumour which is locally invasive, and full thickness chest wall involvement by phyllodes is rarely reported. A woman presented with recurrent phyllodes tumour and multilobulated exophytic mass of size 18.5×5.3 cm in anterior chest wall which was abutting the right 2nd-7th rib, left 3rd-5th rib and costal cartilages. She underwent wide excision of the left chest wall tumour with excision of left 3rd-5th rib, with polypropylene mesh and pedicled lattismus dorsi myocutaneous flap reconstruction. After recovery, 3 weeks later, she underwent wide excision of the phyllodes tumour on the right chest wall with excision of 2nd-7th rib, lateral border of sternum, right crus of the diaphragm and the lower lobe of the right lung. Anterior chest wall was reconstructed using scaffold made from Steinmann pins and polypropylene mesh with greater omentum pedicled flap and split thickness skin graft.

Clinical and pathological characteristics of familial melanoma with germline TERT promoter variants

Around 10% of melanoma occur in patients with a suspected familial predisposition. TERT promoter mutations are the most common somatic hotspot mutations in human cancers. However, only two families with germline mutations have been identified to date. We present detailed histological, clinical and molecular pathologic analyses of affected patients and details of newly identified individuals in one of these previously reported families. TERT (NM_198253.3) Chr.5:1,295,161T>C (c.-57 T>C) promoter variants were detected in all melanoma-affected (n=18) and one non-diseased family member. Median age at diagnosis was 30 years (n=18, range 16-46 years, 2 unknown). While most primary melanoma arose on the upper extremities (n=7, 21%) and were superficial spreading melanoma (SSM, n=8, 24%), many primary melanoma also originated from non UV-exposed mucosal (n=2, 6%) and acral (n=4, 12%) locations. One SSM sample harboured a Chr.5:1,295,228C>T TERT promoter region in addition to the germline Chr.5:1,295,161T>C variant, arguing additional pathway activation can support tumor pathogenesis. Patients treated with BRAF inhibitor and/or immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) showed responses, although of limited duration. One mucosal melanoma harboured both a KIT copy number gain and an activating c.1727 p.Leu576Pro mutation. Following modest response to ICI, subsequent KIT inhibitor (imatinib) therapy demonstrated an ongoing complete pathological response (currently 7 months).

Diagnosis and management of phyllodes tumours for the surgeon: An algorithm

A Phyllodes Tumour (PT) is an uncommon fibroepithelial lesion, with three histological grades - benign, borderline and malignant. PTs cause significant challenges in diagnosis, management and prognostication. Recent publications have clarified the definitions and prognostication of PTs. Contemporary data currently challenge international guidelines on PT management. We performed an in-depth literature review to develop a best-practice management algorithm for PTs. Diagnostic recommendations are that neither current imaging techniques, nor fine-needle biopsies, can reliably diagnose a PT. Core needle biopsy is the optimal diagnostic technique. Indeterminate or suspicious lesions are recommended to undergo an excisional biopsy due to the inherently heterogeneous nature of PTs. Management guidelines are that benign PTs should be completely excised, although an involved margin is acceptable in select situations. Borderline PTs should have a clear margin on excision due to their higher risk of recurrence, as well as the potential for a recurrence to progress to a malignant PT. In malignant PTs, a margin of 3 mm is acceptable as there is no reduction in recurrence risk if margins are >3 mm. Routine axillary surgery is not indicated in PTs, with axillary surgery only indicated in a histologically-confirmed positive axilla. Adjuvant treatment recommendations are that borderline and malignant PTs should be discussed at MDT, with radiotherapy considered in both. Chemotherapy should be discussed in malignant PT patients. In summary, we have developed an up-to-date simple algorithm to guide the surgeon's management of patients diagnosed with PTs and reduce excessive surgery.

Phylloides: Uncommon ulcerated breast tumor diagnosed at Singida regional referral hospital. Case report

Phylloides tumor is rarely diagnosed in surgical clinics. There is high chance of missing of this kind of tumor by junior surgeons as it is also rarely explained in literature and diagnosed in our locality region. Malignant phylloides are associated with a higher rate of recurrence than their benign counterparts, underlying the importance of adequate surgical margins. This is a case of a 22 years old female attended at surgical outpatient clinic with complain of swelling in the right breast for about two years. On cytological and histological investigation showed benign phylloides tumor. The excision surgery was performed where by tumor was remove. The close follow up was done as it has tendency of reoccurrence.

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Phylloides tumor.

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Phylloides tumor is rarely diagnosed tumor which diagnosed.

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Raise awareness in young and junior surgeons in area where there limited documented cases of phylloides tumor.

Recurrent malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast: An extremely rare case of recurrence with only rhabdomyosarcoma components

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare disease that typically occurs in children. Rhabdomyosarcoma seldom occurs in the breast, and its diagnosis and treatment have infrequently been reported. The present case is a rare one of a recurrent malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast with only rhabdomyosarcoma components. A 69-year-old woman received a diagnosis of borderline phyllodes tumor of the left breast and underwent partial mastectomy. During follow-up, a left breast mass was found 1 year and 8 months after the previous surgery. Based on examination findings, it was suspected to be recurrent phyllodes tumor, so total left mastectomy was performed in our hospital. After the surgery, immunostaining failed to determine the epithelial component which may be produced by the proliferative part of stromal cells of previous phyllodes tumors. However, we could not exclude the possibility that this was a new tumor. After comparing samples with specimens from the first operation, it was finally determined to be a malignant phyllodes tumor with a rhabdomyosarcoma component. Therefore, chemotherapy was given, and vincristine, actinomycin D, and cyclophosphamide therapy was introduced. At the same time, radiation therapy was planned. Among phyllodes tumors, cases involving rhabdomyosarcoma components are very rare, especially those where the recurrence morphology only shows the same rhabdomyosarcoma components. This was a rare case with unique characteristics and great reference value.

Giant malignant phyllodes tumor with distant metastases: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Phyllodes tumors (PTs) represent a rare type of breast tumor and are classified into benign, borderline, and malignant. Giant PTs, meaning those sized more than ten cm, are even rarer, most commonly malignant, and usually have a dismal prognosis due to the high metastatic potential.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a 55-year-old woman who underwent modified radical mastectomy and left axillary lymphadenectomy for a rapidly growing, giant, ulcerated mass of the left breast. Histopathologic examination revealed a malignant phyllodes tumor (MPT). Over one year after the initial surgery, the patient was found to have extensive thoracic and retroperitoneal metastases.

CONCLUSION

Although giant PTs are uncommon, clinical suspicion should be high in rapidly growing breast mass patients. A comprehensive review of all metastatic giant MPT cases reported in the English literature emphasizes the lack of consensus regarding appropriate treatment. In the case of metastatic foci, pathologists need to be aware of the previous history to make a definitive diagnosis. Also, a comparative histopathologic study of the primary and metastatic tumors is sometimes necessary. HIPPOKRATIA 2022, 26 (1):41-45.

Breast Cancer: A Global Concern, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspectives, Mechanistic Targets in Drug Development

Cancer is a complex multifactorial process, unchecked and abrupt division, and cell growth—conventional chemotherapy, along with radiotherapy, is used to treat breast cancer. Due to reduce efficacy and less survival rate, there is a particular need for the discovery of new active anticancer agents. Natural resources such as terrestrial/marine plants or organisms are a promising source for the generation of new therapeutics with improving efficacy. The screening of natural plant extracts and fractions, isolations of phytochemicals, and mechanistic study of those potential compounds play a remarkable role in the development of new therapeutic drugs with increased efficacy. Cancer is a multistage disease with complex signaling cascades. The initial study of screening whole extracts or fractions and later the isolation of secondary compounds and their mechanism of action study gives a clue of potential therapeutic agents for future drug development. The phytochemicals present in extracts/fractions produce remarkable effects due to synergistically targeting multiple signals. In this review, the molecular targets of extracts/ fractions and isolated compounds highlighted. The therapeutic agent's mechanistic targets in drug development focused involves; i) Induction of Apoptosis, ii) modulating cell cycle arrest, iii) Inhibition or suppression of invasion and metastasis and iv) various other pro-survival signaling pathways. The phytochemicals and their modified analogs identified as future potential candidates for anticancer chemotherapy.

Recurrent Giant Malignant Phyllodes Tumor of the Breast

Phyllodes tumors (PTs) are rare fibroepithelial neoplasms of the breast. They have a proliferating stromal component that can be graded as benign, borderline, and malignant. In addition, they are associated with an increased risk of local recurrence and distant metastasis. The authors hereby present a case report of a 34-year-old woman with recurrent malignant PT with an increasing aggressiveness. There were two recurrences of giant tumors that consumed the entire right breast, which developed over a three-year period. The final surgical treatment was a total extirpation of the tumor with subsequent plastic reconstruction using a cutaneous flap from the region of the latissimus dorsi muscle. The patient died three months after the last recurrence due to multiorgan failure.

Aggressive malignant phyllodes tumor of breast with omental metastases - A case report

Distant metastasis from malignant Phyllodes tumour (PT) is rare. They generally metastasize to the lung, bone, pleura, and liver. We present a very rare case of a 25-year-old woman with intraabdominal metastases from malignant phyllodes tumour of the breast. She presented with left breast lump and the biopsy was Phyllodes tumour. She underwent a two staged surgery; left modified radical mastectomy followed by left latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap cover. She received adjuvant radiation therapy to left chest wall. Following which she developed intrabdominal mass which was proven to be metastasis from Phyllodes tumour. She was then advised palliative chemotherapy. Malignant Phyllodes with distant metastases has a dismal prognosis. We propose it is preferable to have a CT Thorax and Abdomen as a staging workup for patients with malignant PT to identify those with poor prognosis.

Malignant phyllodes tumor with synchronous metastases to axillary lymph nodes, lung at the presentation: a case report and literature review

Phyllodes tumors are rare mesenchymal tumors of breast. Malignant phyllodes tumors can develop metastases to distal organs with spreading hematogenously to most frequent sites as lungs, bone and brain. Regional lymph node enlargement is common but metastasis to lymph node is a very rare phenomenon with prevalence about 1.1–3.8%. In this report, we introduce a case of malignant phyllodes tumor of breast in 57-year-old female patient. Synchronous metastases to axillary lymph nodes and lung were found at the presentation. She was treated with mastectomy combined with axillary lymph node dissection and adjuvant chemotherapy. Axillary lymph node dissection can be considered in case of proven metastatic or suspiciously palpable lymph nodes.

Phyllodes Tumors: A Scoping Review of the Literature

PURPOSE

Phyllodes tumors are rare tumors of the breast, with most literature being retrospective with limited guidelines on the management of these patients. Scoping review was performed to highlight themes and gaps in the available literature.

METHODS

A scoping review of the literature was performed as per PRISMA-ScR guidelines with titles, abstracts, and full texts reviewed in duplicate. Data were abstracted and summarized in categories of diagnostics, surgical management, adjuvant therapies, treatment of recurrence, and surveillance. Quality assessment was performed for each paper.

RESULTS

The search identified 4498 references, 434 full-text papers were reviewed, and 183 papers were included. Ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and core needle biopsy are valuable preoperative diagnostics tools. Pathology reporting should include stromal overgrowth, stromal cellularity, nuclear atypia, mitotic rate, borders, and presence of heterologous elements. Ki67 may have a role in grading and prognosticating. Breast conservation is safe in all grades of phyllodes but may be associated with increased local recurrence in malignant phyllodes. Surgical margins should depend on grade. Axillary node positivity rate is very low, even with clinically enlarged lymph nodes. Adjuvant radiation is a useful tool to decrease local recurrence in malignant phyllodes tumors, tumors > 5 cm, age < 45 years, close margins, and breast conservation. There is no evidence supporting adjuvant chemotherapy. Recurrence can be managed with repeat wide excision; however, mastectomy is associated with lower re-recurrence. Surveillance protocols are variable in the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

There is heterogeneity in the literature on phyllodes tumors. Consensus guidelines based on the literature will help provide evidence-based care.

A retrospective review of phyllodes tumors of the breast from a single institution

BACKGROUND

Phyllodes tumors (PTs) are rare fibroepithelial breast tumors with diverse biological behavior.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the characteristics, management, and outcome of phyllodes tumors.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with PTs in our institution from January 2013 to December 2017 were identified retrospectively by the ICD-10 code. Data were collected from medical records. The diagnosis of this tumor was based on histopathological results. Variables analyzed included age, tumor site, surgical option, axillary lymph nodes, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, metastases, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rate.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine cases of PTs were diagnosed during the period, of which 31 were benign, 38 were malignant, and 1 was a case of bilateral metachronous tumors. We did not find any borderline pathologic cases. The patient's ages ranged from 20 to 71 years, with the highest number of cases (28) from the 40-49-year-old age group. The majority of patients (42) had PT on the right side. Simple mastectomy was the most performed treatment, with 53 such cases, including both benign and malignant. The axillary staging was carried out in 16 cases, of which none had nodal metastasis. Ten cases received chemotherapy, and 16 cases of malignant phyllodes received postoperative radiotherapy. We found 4 cases with distant metastases and 5 cases that developed local recurrence. The DFS rate reached 92.75%, and the overall 5-year survival rate was 84.21%.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of PTs is highest in women in the 3rd and fourth decades of age. Simple mastectomy and wide excision are the treatments of choice, with a low recurrence rate in both benign and malignant PTs cases.

Fibroepithelial Breast Tumors in a Teenager with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a human genomic imprinting disorder that presents with a wide spectrum of clinical features, including overgrowth, abdominal wall defects, macroglossia, neonatal hypoglycemia, and predisposition to embryonal tumors. Its diagnosis is based on molecular tests or clinical signs. However, in children with features of BWS who do not fulfill the clinical diagnostic criteria, the molecular tests may play an important role in the diagnosis. There is an increased risk of embryonal tumors in patients with BWS, but few case reports have been reported on benign breast tumors in female adolescents with this syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first case report in the literature that describes the imaging findings of fibroepithelial breast tumors (phyllodes tumor and fibroadenomas) in a 13-year-old female with BWS, highlighting the need for lifelong tumor surveillance in this patient population.

Differential diagnosis between small breast phyllodes tumors and fibroadenomas using artificial intelligence and ultrasound data

Background

It is challenging to differentiate between phyllodes tumors (PTs) and fibroadenomas (FAs). Artificial intelligence (AI) can provide quantitative information regarding the morphology and textural features of lesions. This study attempted to use AI to evaluate the ultrasonic images of PTs and FAs and to explore the diagnostic performance of AI features in the differential diagnosis of PTs and FAs.

Methods

A total of 40 PTs and 290 FAs <5 cm in maximum diameter found in female patients were retrospectively analyzed. All tumors were segmented by doctors, and the features of the lesions were collated, including circularity, height-to-width ratio, margin spicules, margin coarseness (MC), margin indistinctness, margin lobulation (ML), internal calcification, angle between the long axis of the lesion and skin, energy, grey entropy, and grey mean. The differences between PTs and FAs were analyzed, and the diagnostic performance of AI features in the differential diagnosis of PTs and FAs was evaluated.

Results

Statistically significant differences (P<0.05) were found in the height-to-width ratio, ML, energy, and grey entropy between the PTs and FAs. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of single features showed that the area under the curve [(AUC) 0.759] of grey entropy was the largest among the four features with statistically significant differences, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 0.925, 0.459, 0.978, and 0.190, respectively. When considering the combinations of the features, the combination of height-to-width ratio, margin indistinctness, ML, energy, grey entropy, and internal calcification was the most optimal of the combinations of features with an AUC of 0.868, and a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 0.734, 0.900, 0.982, and 0.316, respectively.

Conclusions

Quantitative analysis of AI can identify subtle differences in the morphology and textural features between small PTs and FAs. Comprehensive consideration of multiple features is important for the differential diagnosis of PTs and FAs.

Giant Benign Mammary Phyllodes Tumor: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

Phyllodes tumor of the breast is an infrequently encountered fibroepithelial neoplasm, which accounts for 0.3–1% of all tumors. Few case reports have described the occurrence of giant phyllodes tumor. To our knowledge, about 20% of phyllodes tumors would be considered giant benign. Complete surgical excision is the standard of care for giant benign phyllodes tumors; axillary lymph node metastasis is rare, and dissection should be limited to patients with pathologic evidence of tumor in the lymph nodes. We report the case of a 40-year-old Mexican woman with giant mammary tumor who underwent a right total mastectomy. The pathology results showed a benign phyllodes tumor 4,857 g in weight and 40.2 × 36.3 × 15 cm in size. We do not suggest adjuvant radiation therapy for patients with benign phyllodes tumors that are widely excised. A review of the pertinent literature was performed.

Ductal and lobular carcinoma in situ arising within an enlarging biopsy proven fibroadenoma

The diagnosis via core needle biopsy of concurrent ductal carcinoma in situ and lobular carcinoma in situ within an enlarging previously biopsied benign fibroadenoma in women in their 40s is rare. Several case reports have described the occurrence of malignant changes within fibroadenomas, usually as an incidental finding following excision, and few reports have documented the transition of a fibroadenoma to malignancy. The current case report emphasises the importance of re-biopsying enlarging fibroadenomas, even with otherwise maintained benign appearing features on imaging, in women in their 40s, in order to exclude the possibility of malignancy.

Phyllodes tumor of the breast clinical experience and outcomes: A retrospective cohort tertiary hospital experience

BACKGROUND

Phyllodes tumor (PT) accounts for <1% of all breast tumors worldwide. Based on their microscopic features, these tumors are classified into benign, borderline, and malignant. This study aimed at evaluating the clinical experience and the clinicopathologic features of PT.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 46 female patients with histologically diagnosed PT. Data collection and evaluation was done on patient demographics, preoperative radiological assessment and pathology, surgical procedure, post-surgery pathological evaluation, radiation therapy (RT), and follow-up.

RESULTS

The median age at diagnosis was 42 years and young premenopausal patients (median age 35 years) had malignant PT. Forty-five patients underwent core needle biopsy (CNB) with high sensitivity and the positive predictive value (82.2% and 97.4% respectively). Thirty-nine patients (86.7%) underwent conservative surgery and 6 (13.3%) had a mastectomy. Twenty-seven (58.6%) were classified as benign, 11 (23.9%) as borderline and only 8 (17.4%) as malignant PT. Malignant PT had the greatest median tumor size (13 cm). Mortality and recurrence rates were 4.3% and 2.2% respectively. RT was administered in 6 patients (13.0%), 5 having malignant and 1 borderline PT. The metastatic rate was found to be 6.5%.

CONCLUSION

PT are rare breast tumors with variable biologic behavior and heterogenous clinicopathological findings. Young, premenopausal women with large tumors may have malignant PT with a risk of recurrence and metastasis. Core needle biopsy is a reliable tool for diagnosis of PT with strict follow-up recommended for large tumors diagnosed as fibroadenoma on CNB. Surgical management must ensure a tumor-free margin on excision to reduce recurrence.

Malignant phyllodes tumor with liposarcomatous differentiation: Diagnosed on cytology

Phyllodes tumor (PT) accounts for less than 1% of all primary tumors of the breast and 2% to 3% of all fibroepithelial lesions. We report a case of heterologous liposarcomatous elements in a malignant PT of the breast on Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and later confirmed by histopathological examination. A 58-years-old woman presented with a huge breast mass for which FNAC was done. Cytology showed features of malignant PT with a good representation of heterologous liposarcomatous areas. The cytological findings were in concordance with the histologic features. Malignant PT and its various heterologous elements of stroma can be diagnosed on FNA cytology when performed optimally. They can be vital for the preoperative assessment of patients suspected with malignancy to formulate the surgical plan accordingly.

Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast: A Single-Center Experience

Objective

We aimed to analyze the clinicopathological findings, treatment approach, and treatmen outcomes in patients diagnosed with phyllodes tumor (PT).

Materials and Methods

The clinicopathological data of 26 patients with PT, who were treated between 2008 and 2019, were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Mean age was 35.07±13.95 years (range: 14-71), while mean tumor size was 54.76±29.24 mm (range: 25-135). Benign, borderline, and malignant PT were detected in 18 (69.2%), 3 (11.5%), and 5 (19.2%) patients, respectively. Marginless excision was performed in 20 patients (76.9%), while six (23.1%) patients underwent mastectomy. A statistically significant correlation of tumor type with mean tumor size and mean age was observed (p=0.041 and p=0.013, respectively). Margin positivity on first excision was more frequent in the malignant tumors (p=0.02). No statistically significant correlation of PT type with presence of breast cancer in the family history, and tumor localization was observed (p=0.79 and p=0.13, respectively). Mean postoperative follow-up duration was 56 months (range: 6-147). Local recurrence was not observed in any of the patients. Lung and left vastus lateralis muscle metastases were encountered. The patient with lung metastasis became exitus because of the same reason 6 months after detection of the metastasis.

Conclusion

PT is a rare fibroepithelial tumor of the breast that is characterized by a mixed histology seen in younger ages when compared to the classical breast tumors. The probability of PT should be considered in the presence of a rapid-growing mass in the breast. In addition, it should also be considered that the contribution of imaging techniques may be limited.

Pancreatic metastasis from malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast

Pancreatic metastasis from malignant phyllodes tumor (PT) of the breast is rare, and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of pancreatic metastasis from malignant PT of the breast in a 48-year-old woman. She had had three episodes of recurrence of malignant PT in her right breast. She presented with epigastric pain for 2 months. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 6 cm-sized, well-defined, heterogeneous mass with peripheral enhancement in the body of the pancreas. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration was performed, and the pathologic report suggested spindle cell mesenchymal neoplasm. Subsequently, surgical excision was performed, and the mass was confirmed as a metastatic malignant PT. The imaging findings are discussed and the literature is briefly reviewed in this report.

Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast (the Egyptian Experience)

Phyllodes tumors (PT) are rare fibroepithelial lesions, about 0.3-0.5% of all breast tumors. This study is an evaluation of patient characteristics, clinicopathologic features, diagnostic tools, therapeutic options, risk factors for recurrence, and distant metastasis and follow-up findings in patients with PTs. One hundred twenty-seven patients with pathologically proved PTs in the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt, from January 2011 to January 2016 were reviewed and analyzed. Sixty patients presented with benign PTs (47.2%), 34 had borderline PTs (26.8%), and 33 had malignant PTs (26%). The mean follow-up period was approximately 36 months; local recurrence occurred in 34 patients, 9 benign cases (14.5%), 11 borderlines (32.4%), and 14 malignant PTs (42.4%). Mastectomy was the most commonly used surgery in recurrent cases (61.4%). Axillary staging was performed in 31 cases (24.4%); only 2 cases showed positive nodal metastasis (6.5%) and were of the malignant subtype. Distant metastasis occurred in 12 patients, 4 with borderline PTs, and 8 with malignant PTs. The most common site for metastasis was the lungs and bones. Adjuvant radiotherapy was applied in 9 patients, 2 in borderline phyllodes, and 7 in malignant phyllodes; post-radiotherapy recurrence occurred in 5 malignant phyllodes patients. Chemotherapy was employed in 10 metastatic patients (4 with borderline and 6 with malignant phyllodes); excision with clear margins is important to reduce the local recurrence. Routine axillary staging should not be done. The adjuvant radiation therapy is still controversial. Local recurrence can develop even after appropriate surgery. Therefore, close follow-up is mandatory.

Giant benign phyllodes breast tumour with pulmonary nodule mimicking malignancy: A case report

BACKGROUND

Phyllodes tumours (PTs) are fibroepithelial breast tumours, which can be classified as benign, borderline or malignant, according to their histological characteristics. While various huge borderline or malignant PTs have been previously described, a benign PT with a pulmonary nodule mimicking malignancy has not yet been reported. In order that doctors may have a comprehensive understanding of super-giant benign PTs (≥ 20 cm), we also performed a literature review to summarize the clinical features, differential diagnosis, and treatment of this disease.

CASE SUMMARY

A 42-year-old woman with severe anaemia presented with a rapidly enlarging right breast mass, measuring approximately 30 cm × 25 cm × 20 cm that was first noticed 1 year previously. A region of skin ulceration and necrosis (20 cm × 15 cm) was observed on the lateral side of the mass. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed a pulmonary nodule, which initially suggested a diagnosis of metastasis. CT showed that the boundaries between the pectoralis major and the mass were blurred, which was presumed to be due to tumour invasion. However, two core needle biopsies of the mass showed no evidence of malignancy. Following these results, the tumour was removed by mastectomy of the right breast. Interestingly, postoperative pathology finally proved the diagnosis of a benign PT. After 1 year of follow-up, wedge resection of the small pulmonary nodule was performed, and it was confirmed that the lung nodule was actually adenocarcinoma rather than metastatic breast cancer. The patient recovered very well without any postoperative treatment.

CONCLUSION

This case is unique in that the giant breast mass initially mimicking a malignant clinical presentation was eventually pathologically confirmed to be a benign PT, which misled the diagnosis and complemented the atypical features of benign PTs. The pathological and immunohistochemical results were important in the differential diagnosis. In addition, total mastectomy should be recommended due to difficulty in the precise diagnosis of PTs, especially in large breast masses. In the literature, almost one-half of super-giant benign cases were thought to be malignant tumours before surgery. This finding is a reminder to consider all conditions in order to make an accurate diagnosis and avoid excessive treatment.

The role of adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast: a propensity-score matching analysis

Background and objectives

Malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast (MPTB) is a kind of rare tumor. Our objective was to investigate the role of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in MPTB patients.

Methods

MPTB patients were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Kaplan–Meier curves and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses were conducted to determine the effect of adjuvant RT on MPTB patients. Propensity-score matching (PSM) method was used to balance the clinicopathological characteristics.

Results

A total of 1353 MPTB patients were included in our study and the median follow-up time was 99 months (range: 0–331 months). 16.7% (226) MPTB patients received adjuvant RT, of which 49.1% (111) received mastectomy and 50.9% (115) underwent breast conservation surgery (BCS). Patients receiving adjuvant RT were more likely to be white, with better differentiation and larger tumors (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that poorer tumor differentiation grade, larger tumor size, and lymph node metastasis were associated with reduced survival while BCS was a protective factor of disease-specific survival (DSS) (HR 0.297; 95% CI 0.184–0.480) and overall survival (OS) (HR 0.445; 95% CI 0.321–0.616). After PSM, survival curves showed patients did not achieve an improved OS or DSS from adjuvant RT (p > 0.05). In subgroup analysis, no subgroup benefited from adjuvant RT. Exploratory analysis showed a survival benefit trend from adjuvant RT in patients with tumor larger than 50 mm and undergoing BCS.

Conclusions

Among MPTB patients, adjuvant RT did not improve OS or DSS. In patients with tumor larger than 50 mm and receiving BCS, a survival benefit trend from adjuvant RT existed.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s12282-020-01135-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Risk Factors for Disease Recurrence in Women With Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast in Southern Colombia: A Nine-Year Cohort Study

Introduction

Phyllodes tumors (PTs) are uncommon fibroepithelial breast tumors that occur in middle-aged women, and they tend to vary in biologic behavior. Surgical management is the standard therapy for the condition, but factors associated with recurrence remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and surgical characteristics related to PT recurrences.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients in southern Colombia who were diagnosed with PT and managed at a level I teaching and referral hospital over a nine-year period. Factors associated with recurrence were determined by Cox regression analysis.

Results

This study included 61 patients; their median age was 46 years [interquartile range (IQR): 39-55 years]. Pathologically, 37 tumors (60.7%) were classified as low-grade. The median tumor size was 7 cm (IQR: 4-11.5 cm). Thirty-nine (63.9%) patients underwent quadrantectomy. Nine patients (14.8%) experienced tumor recurrence, with the median time to recurrence being one year (IQR: 0.5-2 years). Distant metastasis was observed in four patients (6.6%) at a median of nine months (IQR: 0.4-2.5 years). Univariate analyses showed that patients with high-grade tumors [hazard ratio (HR): 2.90, p = 0.148] and those who underwent mastectomy (HR: 2.90, p = 0.460) were at higher risk of recurrence.

Conclusion

PT recurrence may be associated with biological features, the extent of local excision, tumor size, and negative margins. However, multicenter data are needed to confirm these findings.

A scoping review and proposed workflow for multi-omic rare disease research

BACKGROUND

Patients with rare diseases face unique challenges in obtaining a diagnosis, appropriate medical care and access to support services. Whole genome and exome sequencing have increased identification of causal variants compared to single gene testing alone, with diagnostic rates of approximately 50% for inherited diseases, however integrated multi-omic analysis may further increase diagnostic yield. Additionally, multi-omic analysis can aid the explanation of genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity, which may not be evident from single omic analyses.

MAIN BODY

This scoping review took a systematic approach to comprehensively search the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and the grey literature databases OpenGrey / GreyLit for journal articles pertaining to multi-omics and rare disease, written in English and published prior to the 30th December 2018. Additionally, The Cancer Genome Atlas publications were searched for relevant studies and forward citation searching / screening of reference lists was performed to identify further eligible articles. Following title, abstract and full text screening, 66 articles were found to be eligible for inclusion in this review. Of these 42 (64%) were studies of multi-omics and rare cancer, two (3%) were studies of multi-omics and a pre-cancerous condition, and 22 (33.3%) were studies of non-cancerous rare diseases. The average age of participants (where known) across studies was 39.4 years. There has been a significant increase in the number of multi-omic studies in recent years, with 66.7% of included studies conducted since 2016 and 33% since 2018. Fourteen combinations of multi-omic analyses for rare disease research were returned spanning genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, phenomics and metabolomics.

CONCLUSIONS

This scoping review emphasises the value of multi-omic analysis for rare disease research in several ways compared to single omic analysis, ranging from the provision of a diagnosis, identification of prognostic biomarkers, distinct molecular subtypes (particularly for rare cancers), and identification of novel therapeutic targets. Moving forward there is a critical need for collaboration of multi-omic rare disease studies to increase the potential to generate robust outcomes and development of standardised biorepository collection and reporting structures for multi-omic studies.