Malignant phyllodes tumour presenting as a massive fungating breast mass and silent thrombo-embolism

Abstract

HighlightsMassive phyllodes tumour has a higher chance of being malignant.Staging imaging is undertaken to confirm and define local chest wall invasion.An associated silent DVT/pulmonary embolism should be considered.Pre-operative diagnosis of DVT/Pulmonary embolism changes peri-operative planning.Peri-operative morbidity/mortality is reduced by recognising DVT/Pulmonary embolism.

Exophytic Phyllode Breast Tumor: a Case Report

“…Phyllode breast tumor is a rare tumor which represents 0.3 to 0.5% of all breast tumors (1) with an average age of 48 years old. The vast majority affects women.…”

“…Larger tumor measuring more than 10 cm, called "giant phyllode tumor" is rare and represents 10% of all the phyllode tumors. It's, most of the time, malignant (1) . As in the case of exophytic tumors, contrary to our patient.…”

“…Genetics studies (about genes responsible for cell adhesion, epidermis formation, cell proliferation) have showed that more there is chromosomal changes, the worst the histological grade is. The metastatic rate in phyllode tumor is about 10% of cases; most of them are Borderline or Malignant (1) . Indeed, malignant tumor can be aggressive, fast growing, with a high level of metastasis (25% to 31%) and recurrence.…”

“…Local recurrence depends on the age, tumor size, malignancy, stromal overgrowth, mitotic activity, tumor necrosis, and most important surgical margins (3) . In fact, when the margins excision is inferior to 1cm, the recurrence rate is about 15% to 20% (1,2) . In our case, we didn't report any metastasis, due to the benign form of the tumor.…”

“…It's a very rare tumor which represents 0.3 to 0.5% of all breast tumors (1). The clinical and radiological symptoms are not specific.…”