Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment, 2017, Vol. 5, No. 3, 89-91
Available online at http://pubs.sciepub.com/jcrt/5/3/3
©Science and Education Publishing
DOI:10.12691/jcrt-5-3-3
Low Grade Malignant (Borderline) Phyllodes Tumor of
the Breast: Case Report and Review of Literature
Mazaher Ramezani
1
, Masoud Sadeghi
2,*
1
Molecular Pathology Research Center, Emam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
2
Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
*Corresponding author: sadeghi_mbrc@yahoo.com
Abstract Phyllodes tumor (PT) of the breast is a rare disease usually presents as a large lump. The aim of this
study was to report low grade malignant (borderline) PT of the breast in Kermanshah, Iran. A 55-year-old lady was
admitted to the surgery ward with left breast mass since 2-3 months ago. In past medical history, the patient had left
breast surgery due to fibrocystic change seven years ago. Grossly her specimen consisted in a piece of gray soft
tissue measuring 10*8*4.5 cm with lobulated appearance and small cystic areas. In permanent diagnosis, the
pathologist reported low-grade malignant (borderline) PT. Microscopically the tumor was composed of benign
glandular elements and hypercellular spindle-shaped stroma. Mitotic index was 3/10 high power field (HPF). The
border was well-circumscribed with satellite lesion. In conclusion, the diagnosis of borderline phyllodes tumor
cannot be made only on age, the size of tumor, imaging or clinical features. Microscopic evaluation with evaluation
of stromal cellularity, atypia, mitotic counts and border of the tumor is necessary for definite diagnosis and
categorizing of this tumor.
Keywords: phyllodes tumor, borderline, case report
Cite This Article: Mazaher Ramezani, and Masoud Sadeghi, “Low Grade Malignant (Borderline) Phyllodes
Tumor of the Breast: Case Report and Review of Literature.” Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment, vol. 5,
no. 3 (2017): 89-91. doi: 10.12691/jcrt-5-3-3.
1. Introduction
Phyllodes tumors (PTs) have an incidence of 1 per
100,000 women and account for only 0.5% of all breast
malignancies [1]. PT of the breast is a rare disease usually
presents as a large lump. In few cases, it is bilateral or
multifocal [2,3]. These neoplasms generally present as
unilateral painless, well-circumscribed, mobile breast
masses in women 35 to 55 years old [4]. PTs are classified
according to their biological behavior to benign, malignant
and borderline [5]. Most PTs are benign (63–78%), with
borderline PTs diagnosed in only 11–30% cases [6]. They
are more prevalent in the Latin American, White and
Asian populations [7]. The difficulty in distinguishing
between PTs and benign fibroadenoma may lead to
misdiagnosis. In fact, there are no characteristic features
that clinically distinguish PTs from other breast cancers
[8]. The aim of this study was to report low grade
malignant (borderline) PT of the breast in Kermanshah,
Iran.
2. Case Report
A 55-year-old lady was admitted to the surgery ward on
April 26
th
, 2017 with left breast mass since 2-3 months
ago. The mass was non-tender without discharge or nipple
retraction, but with an increase in size according to the
patient
'
s report. In past medical history, the patient was
menopause since eleven years ago and had left breast
surgery due to fibrocystic change seven years ago.
No significant drug or relevant family history was noted.
On physical examination vital signs were stable. Large
non-tender mass measuring 8*5 cm in pre areolar and
upper part of the nipple and breast was present. The
consistency was firm. Overlying skin showed mild
telangiectasia. Axillary mass was not found.
Figure 1. Gross specimen
Laboratory data revealed that CBC (complete blood
count), PT, PTT, Blood Sugar, Urea, Cr, AST, ALT,
Alkaline phosphatase, Albumin, Bilirubin, Na, K and Ca