Low local recurrence rates in young Asian patients with phyllodes tumours: less is more.

BACKGROUND

Phyllodes tumours are increasingly being discovered incidentally in young patients after excision of a seemingly innocuous breast lump. The clinical course of this group of patients has not been well-described, especially in the Asian population.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 44 consecutive patients below 25 years of age undergoing surgery for phyllodes tumours at our institution from 1992 to 2010 was conducted. Clinico-pathological data, local recurrence rates and margin involvement were recorded.

RESULTS

The majority of the patients had benign lesions treated with simple enucleation, and there were no local recurrences documented after a mean and median length of follow-up of 47.6 and 29.5 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that in young Asian patients who present with benign phyllodes tumours, simple excision, followed by close follow-up is sufficient, regardless of surgical margin status.