Tumor philodes

I had a lump in my left breast for two years, and at first was diagnosed as a cyst, and later they established its tumor philodes. Operation was done last December, and then tissue samples were sent to two pathologists. One of them said it's borderline type, other benign, but first pathologist made mistake with sample, removing from it healthy tissue, so rate of growth of tumor was not established. My surgeon said that tumor was so well defined and separated form rest of the tissue that he could removed it with fingers. Size of tumor was approx. 6.5 cm. Since operation I had regular controls with ultrasound first every two months, and then every 3, and next check up will be in November. During period tumor was in my breast, it grow rapidly during the summer, and this summer I felt much stronger breast pains than usual and expecially around my scar. Last control showed that everything is still Ok, but since I'm not sure which type I had, and there is rather large procent of returning of tumor, (I read for benign is 30% and for borderline around 40%) I would like to know is there anything I can do to stay healthy. I know that there is 15 months of high risk period for this tumor, and I need to do something to stop feeling helpless.  
Thanks in advance on reply.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear asaska1:  A bit about phyllodes tumors.  Phyllodes tumors are not staged in the same manner as breast cancer. The following information regarding phyllodes tumor is directly from the textbook

[surgeon]

On the one hand, there's nothing you can do to prevent recurrance. On the other, they are rarely dangerous tumors, so the worst case scenario is it comes back and you have another operation to remove it again. I know that's nothing to sneeze at, but it isn't life-threatening. So my suggestion is not to worry, do regular self-exam, have regular followup. Even if it's "borderline" it's mainly a matter of risk of returning, not one of spreading and being harmful to you. And since it was sort of peeled out the first time, if it does come back, I'd imagine they'd take a bit more of a rim of healthy tissue around it the next time, making further recurrance less likely. Try to believe that no matter what, your overall health is not at risk from this.

[asaska1]

Thank you very much for all informations. I do feel a bit better now.

[hels]

I had a malignant phyloddes tumor removed. It turned out to be malignant and  then I had a large amount of tissue removed on the second surgery. There was talk of removing the breast.  At first the surgeon said he thought it was a fibroid, it resembled one. Then he set me up for radiation and then I got a second o***ion and the findings were that this kind of tumor does not react to radiation or chemo.  That was four years ago and since then I have been fine. I have regular mammos but less as time goes on.  At first every little lump I was running to get tested, but I am calmer now and trust that I will know when, and if, it comes back.  It felt like it was on a stalk like a little cauliflower or broccoli, much different from the other cysts I get all the time.  ALWAYS get a second o***ion.  It tends to come back to the lungs, or so my medical informants told me. Good Luck.
hels

[besbhs]

A related discussion, 3 years ago was started.