Phyllodes tumor of the breast- Cytohistological study

Introduction: Phyllodes tumor constitutes an uncommon group of mammary fibroepithelial neoplasm, having incidence of about 0.3% to 1% of breast tumors. The median age of occurrence of disease is 40 to 50 years. These tumors were first recognized by Muller, who used the term “cystosarcoma phyllodes” (phyllos = leaf, Greek). The differential diagnosis between phyllodes tumor & fibroadenoma and histological grading of phyllodes tumor is challenging. Material and Methods: Retrospective data from cytology and histopathology record in pathology Department, Muzaffarnagar Medical College, Muzaffarnagar showed seven cases of phyllodes tumor. In all cases, Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) was initially performed and was further confirmed on histopathology. Results: The age range of these patients was from 18 to 61 years. The size of the breast lesion ranged from 6x5 cms to 40x30 cms. Tumors were classified according to WHO grading system based on the degree of stromal cellularity and atypia, presence or absence of stromal overgrowth, mitotic count and nature of tumor margin. Out of seven cases, two cases of were reported as benign phyllodes tumor, four as borderline and one as malignant. Two cases recurred within one year, one was benign and other one was diagnosed as borderline. Conclusion: Preoperative diagnosis and proper management is important in phyllodes tumor to minimize the recurrence and malignant potential. So, accurate diagnosis of phyllodes tumor is crucial so that they are effectively treated. Treatment include wide surgical excision with negative margins.