20 Jan 2017Case Report
A giant phyllodes tumor of the breast causing severe disfigurement.
Gianluca Franceschini 1Danilo Giorgio 2Sabatino D’Archi 2Alba Leone 2Alejandro Sanchez 2Riccardo Masetti 2
Affiliations
Article Info
1 Multidisciplinary Breast Center, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, Rome 00168, Italy
2 Multisciplinary breast Center, Catholic University “Sacro Cuore”, Rome, Italy
Ann. Ital. Chir., 2017, 6(January), 1-5;
Published: 20 Jan 2017
Copyright (c) 2017 Annali Italiani di Chirurgia
Abstract
Phyllodes tumours (PTs) are rare fibroepithelial neoplasms representing about 0,2% to 2% of all breast tumors with an incidence of about 2.1 per million. The classification proposed by the World Health Organization for PTs into benign, borderline, and malignant is based on a combination of several histologic features. High-grade malignant phyllodes tumors may spread by hematogenous route. While smaller and moderate size malignant phyllodes may typically be seen, gigantic ones with larger than 10 cm in diameter are very rare. We report an unusual case of a giant malignant phyllodes tumor with metastases that grew over a 6 years period causing significant ulceration, body disfigurement and physical transformation. Our experience indicated that surgical treatment of malignant phyllodes tumor might be an option for improving patients’ quality of life, regardless of the extremely poor prognosis.
Keywords
- Breast
- Malignant phyllodes tumor
- Surgical treatment