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Breast Cancer  (Expert Forum)
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Phyllodes tumor
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.

Phyllodes tumor

by vw, Nov 11, 2003 12:00AM
I had a lump removed 2 weeks ago and it turned out to be a benign phyllodes tumor. My surgeon would like to perform a lumpectomy in one month since no breast tissue was removed durning the first surgery.

I am 32 years old and am planning to be pregant at least one more time. My surgeon advised me that it would be safest to get the lumpectomy done since a pregnancy could trigger a new phyllodes tumor, which could turn malignant. He could not guarantee that I would be able to breastfeed after the lumpectomy. He also said that my breast risks to be deformed because of its small size.

If I decide not to have the lumpectomy, what are the risks of me developping a new phyllodes tumor? What is the % of it becoming malignant? Could the fact that no breast tissue was removed the first time, increase my chances of getting a new tumor? If so, what would the % be?

Thank you in advance for your help.



Veronique

by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Nov 11, 2003 12:00AM
Dear Veronique, The term phyllodes tumor includes a group of lesions of varying malignant potential ranging from completely benign (non-cancerous) to fully malignant (cancerous) sarcomas.

Approximately 20% of phyllodes tumors will recur locally if removed with no margin or a margin of a few millimeters of normal breast tissue, regardless of whether they are benign or malignant.  A wide excision with a 2cm margin of normal breast tissue is appropriate therapy for benign and borderline phyllodes tumors unless they are so large that this is not cosmetically feasible.  



Member Comments (1)

by mksg, May 27, 2008 07:46PM
A related discussion, doubt of begnin phyllodes tumor was started.
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