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Results: 53 patients with 54 lesions were diagnosed as having a PT. The median age was 27.5, 35.0 and 38.5 years for benign, borderline and malignant PT, respectively. Borderline and malignant PTs were larger than benign PTs, with mean sizes of 33 and 42 mm compared with 29 mm. 38% of PTs were labelled by the reporting radiologist as fibroadenomas, including two borderline PTs and one malignant PT. In 24% of cases, the radiologist raised the possibility of PT in the report. 17 patients (40%) developed a new fibroepithelial breast lesion during follow-up of which 4 were recurrent PTs. Conclusion: Despite adequate surgical management, the development of further fibroepithelial lesions in the ipsilateral breast is common. 3-year clinical surveillance, with the addition of 6-monthly ultrasound is advised for females with initial borderline or malignant PT histology. Advances in knowledge:We propose a follow-up protocol with ultrasound based on the grade of the PT diagnosed for 3 years to detect recurrence.Phyllodes tumours (PTs) are rare biphasic fibroepithelial neoplasms accounting for ,1% of all breast lesions. 1 In the literature, they have been described as occurring in females aged 35-55 years, typically 15-20 years older than females with fibroadenomas (FAs) and with a higher incidence in Asian females.2,3 Imaging findings of PT and FA overlap and as such lesions may be misdiagnosed. 4 Histologically, PTs can be identified by their distinctive leaf-like architecture and increased stromal cellularity. 5 Typically, PTs present as a palpable breast lump and were traditionally differentiated from FAs based on their larger size at presentation.6 However, with increased breast awareness and screening programmes, smaller and incidental lesions are being found on imaging. 6 In symptomatic breast clinics, including this institution, "triple assessment" consisting an initial physical examination, followed by radiological imaging (ultrasound and/or mammography) and histological sampling either by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or core biopsy is the standard diagnostic pathway for palpable breast lesions. The purpose of triple assessment is to provide a more accurate pre-operative diagnosis to ensure proper surgical planning and avoiding re-excision or tumour recurrence. 7According to the World Health Organization criteria, there are two grading systems for PTs; a two-tiered system or a three-tiered system. 8 Our institution employs the threetiered system, the subgroups being benign, borderline and malignant. Grading is based on semi-quantitative assessment of stromal cellularity, cellular pleomorphism, mitotic activity, margin appearance and stromal distribution. The standard procedure for treatment, no matter what the grade of the PT, is surgical wide local excision, preferably with clear margins of at least 1 cm. However, owing to the fact that most PTs are not fully diagnosed pre-operatively, initial surgery does not always provide adequate margins necessitating frequent post-operative re-excision of the margi...

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The purpose of this study was to examine substance abuse treatment referrals that were made by outreach workers in a homeless outreach project. Ten outreach workers completed questionnaires on each of their clients who they had referred to a substance abuse treatment program over the previous year. Additional data was collected on the client's motivation level at the point the referral was made, which agencies the client was referred to, and if the client was rejected from any of the treatment programs. Bivariate correlation analyses were used to examine relationships between the variables. Of 73 project clients who were referred to substance abuse treatment in a one-year period of time, 41% successfully entered treatment. As might be expected, there was a statistically significant relationship between clients' motivation level and completed referral, and between referrals made and program acceptance. This study provides evidence that assertive outreach is effective in engaging and linking homeless persons with substance use disorders to substance abuse treatment services.