Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization improves the resectability of malignant breast phyllodes tumor with angiosarcoma component: a case report

Preoperative embolization of a giant benign phyllodes tumor: A case report and review of literature

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Phyllodes tumors (PT) account for less than 1% of all breast tumors. Giant PTs can lead to breast disfigurement, tumoral ulceration, and bleeding. Outright surgical excision can be challenging or unsafe. Preoperative transarterial embolization (TAE) has a role but data on its use in the management of PT is limited.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 43-year-old female presented with a 28 cm fungating, necrotic, benign PT on her left breast that eventually developed tumoral bleeding leading to hemodynamic instability. Preoperative TAE controlled the bleeding and allowed the safe performance of mastectomy. A literature review of preoperative TAE of PTs is also presented including the addition of a chemotherapeutic agent in malignant types.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

PTs are rare and comprise only 2.5% of all fibroepithelial breast lesions. Tumoral bleeding causing severe anemia is one of the most common presentations of massive (≥20 cm) PTs, especially when neglected. Indications for preoperative TAE include (1) to halt rapid tumor growth, (2) to control active/persistent tumoral bleeding, and (3) to shrink the tumor size and allow successful resection with negative margins, and avoidance of skin grafting. Post-TAE side effects include fever, chest pain, gradual/expanding tumor necrosis, decrease in tumor weight, and diminished tumoral abscess/discharge, and loss of tumoral vessel elasticity.

CONCLUSION

Neglected PTs can reach an alarming size. Preoperative TAE is a safe and effective method of controlling life-threatening tumoral hemorrhage and decreasing the size of PTs thereby allowing definitive resection while avoiding skin grafting and/or flap reconstruction.

Fabrication of Fe3O4@PVA microspheres by one-step electrospray for magnetic resonance imaging during transcatheter arterial embolization

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has attracted increasing attention as a feasible alternative or adjunctive imaging modality for X-ray digital subtraction angiography because of the high tissue resolution and non-ionization radiation. In this study, a one-step electrospray method was developed to fabricate PVA microspheres encapsulated with in situ synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Fe₃O₄@PVA microspheres were mono-dispersed black spheres with a wide range of sizes (262-958 µm). The in situ-synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were used as the contrast agent of MRI and the cross-linkers of PVA matrixes for the embolization purpose. In vivo evaluation of renal arteries of normal rabbits showed that Fe₃O₄@PVA microspheres had good embolic effect and enhanced capability of MRI. In vitro and in vivo biosafety assessment confirmed that Fe₃O₄@PVA microspheres had favorable biocompatibility. The DOX-loaded Fe₃O₄@PVA microspheres showed a typical drug-sustained release profile. These results suggest that the prepared DOX-loaded Fe₃O₄@PVA microspheres have the function of MRI, embolotherapy and chemotherapy. We expect our study could provide a simple and useful approach for the systematic design, fabrication, and application of a new type of magnetic microspheres as a triple-functional embolic agent for the development of MRI-guided TACE. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Due to the low tissue resolution and hazardous ionization radiation of X-ray digital subtraction angiography, it is beneficial to study MR imaging embolic microspheres for the development of MRI-guided TACE. In this study, a one-step electrospray method was firstly developed to fabricate PVA microspheres encapsulated with in situ synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Then, chemotherapeutic agent (DOX), contrast media of MRI (Fe₃O₄) and embolic agent (PVA matrix) were combined together in one body (DOX-loaded Fe₃O₄@PVA microspheres) to achieve the triple effects of chemotherapy, MR imaging and embolization. This triple-functional embolic agent offers potential for the future development of MRI-guided TACE.

Preoperative interventional artery embolization for the treatment of a giant malignant phyllodes tumor: A case report

Phyllodes tumors (PTs) are rare but complex fibroepithelial lesions of the breast. The present report describes an unusual case of a giant malignant PT with a rich blood supply treated with dominant blood supply internal thoracic artery interventional embolization before surgery. A 41-year-old woman without underlying systemic disease presented with a tumor >20 cm in diameter growing rapidly in the left breast. Radiological results indicated a giant circular tumor with a clear boundary occupying the whole breast, possible invasion of the major pectoralis muscle and several enlarged lymph nodes in the left axillary region. Computed tomography angiography showed a large mass with a rich and powerful blood vessel supply and preoperative interventional embolization was performed to block the internal thoracic artery. Three days after artery embolization, mastectomy and grade I axillary lymph node dissection were performed. The giant tumor measured 17x16x11 cm. The surgery successfully treated the pain and tumor necrosis and the patient received chemotherapy and local radiotherapy. No recurrence was found at the 14-month follow-up.

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.