Cystosarcoma phylloides in the adolescent female.

Between 1979 and 1985, five adolescent females have undergone excision of cystosarcoma phylloides. Mean age at presentation was 15 years with a range of 13 to 18 years. Clinical characteristics unique to this diagnosis included a recent history of rapid growth and the large size of the breast mass (mean diameter 7 cm) at initial presentation. Each patient underwent "cosmetic" excisional biopsy utilizing either a circumareolar or inframammary approach. In four patients, the neoplasm was benign with no postoperative recurrence (mean follow-up 33.8 months). The remaining lesion was malignant (liposarcoma) and subsequent simple mastectomy was performed. There was no evidence of disease at 35 months.