Benign Phyllodes Tumour

[Glitterycat]

Hi, I am 27 years old and recently had a 2.5cm lump which I was told was a fibroadenoma, removed from my left breast. When I went back for my 2 week check up the surgeon told me that they had found a surprise, that it wasn't cancer, but that there had been atypical cells.
He said had they found them in my original biopsy, they would have removed a greater margin surrounding my lump and therefore I would need to go back in for further surgery to have more breast tissue removed.
I was on my own and not really prepared so did not ask anything further. I get copies of the letters that the breat clinic send to my GP, in the most recent it says that what they removed was a Phyllodes Tumour on the low end of the spectrum, there was no additional information about it, and it just confirmed with him the date of my next operation.
I am assuming that my tumour was benign as he told me that 'it wasn't cancer' but then as he told me they found atypia, I am confused! What little information there is online about this rare breast disease seems to be quite old.

Do all classifications of Phyllodes tumours (benign, borderline and malignant) have atypia? Is there any more recent information about what might cause these and what the chances are that they will re- occur even after excision?

[zouzi]

I understand how you feel,indeed your Surgeon should have told you about it.
Before you'll go to see him/her,I would like to suggest to you, to write down all the questions you need to know (We tend to forget what to ask when we face doctors) Also try taking someone with you, an extra pair of ears can be very useful so you don't miss anything that is said to you.As a patient you have the right to know everything about your case..and I wouldn't leave his/her office until am I satisfied with all the answers I get.
Again best wishes....

[Glitterycat]

Thanks Zouzi

It's very frustrating that my surgeon didn't even tell me that it was a PT and I only found out as I get copy of letters he sends to my GP! I will be contacting him to question him further now I am better armed.

thanks again
Cat

[zouzi]

Hi,
Atypical cells are not cancer.In some cases they can be an indication of an increased risk of cancer, but usually they are just benign atypical cells. Some benign Fibroadenoma also can present with atypical cells.

Surgical excision (removal) is the usual treatment for phyllodes tumors, whether benign or malignant. In your case, the surgeon will want to remove extra tissue that surrounded the phyllodes tumor that was removed , generally removing about 1 in (2 cm) of normal breast tissue.

Phyllodes tumors develop only in the breast, they are never found in other parts of the body, also there is no way to prevent it because their cause is not yet known.
I am also assuming that the tumor removed was benign,but you could ask your treating Doctor/Surgeon, what are the chances of a recurrence since he/she has all the information concerning your particular case.
For more information concerning Phyllodes tumors I've added the link below.

http://www.answers.com/topic/phyllodes-tumor

Wishing you all the best and a uneventful surgery.