Phyllodes tumor of the breast.

PURPOSE

Presentation of the microscopical and clinical findings, prognostic factors and principles of treatment of the phyllodes tumor of the breast.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This paper reviews the published data on this rare and intriguing tumor of the breast.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The main prognostic factor is the histotype of the phyllodes tumor (benign, borderline, malignant) assessed on the basis of the criteria proposed by Azzopardi [3] and Salvadori et al. [50]. Wide local excision with an adequate marg in of normal breast tissue is the preferred initial therapy for phyllodes tumor. Mastectomy is indicated only for very large tumors compared with breast morphologic size and for recurrences of borderline and malignant tumors.