Is there a lump in your breast? Could it be a Phyllodes Tumor?

Most of the time, when we feel a lump in our breast, we immediately get scared, right? The first thing that comes to mind is the fear that it might be cancer. However, not all lumps that form in the breast are cancer. Today, we are going to talk about a type of lump that forms in the breast, which is a little rare, but it is very important for us to be aware of. This is what we call Phyllodes Tumors.

What are Phyllodes Tumors?

Simply put, Phyllodes Tumor is a rare type of breast tumor. It accounts for less than 1% of all breast tumors. So that alone shows how rare it is. These tumors start in the connective tissue of the breast.

The Greek word “phyllodes” means ‘leaf-like.’ These nodules are so named because they tend to take on the shape of a leaf as they grow.

These lumps are divided into three main types.

All of these types of tumors can grow. But the good news is that they rarely spread to other parts of the body. Even if they are surgically removed, there is a small chance that they will grow back.

What are the symptoms of this?

A Phyllodes tumor usually feels like a painless, smooth lump in the breast. You may feel it yourself, or a doctor may see it when you examine it.

The most unique thing about these lumps is that they can grow very quickly . Imagine, they can grow to about 3 centimeters (a little over an inch) in a few weeks or months. Even benign lumps grow quickly. As the lump grows, it can sometimes appear bulging from the surface of the skin, and sometimes it can feel like the skin is pulling. Very rarely, an ulcer may form on the surface of the skin.

Causes and risk factors for Phyllodes Tumors

The exact cause of these tumors is not yet known. However, it has been found that women with a rare genetic condition called Li-Fraumeni syndrome are more likely to develop them. They are very rare in men.

Although women of any age can develop these lumps, they are most commonly seen in women in their 40s.

How do you know for sure if this is a Phyllodes Tumor?

There are several tests that can be done to confirm whether a lump in your breast is this type. Your doctor will refer you for these tests.

What are the treatments for this?

Regardless of the type of Phyllodes tumor, even if it is non-cancerous (benign), it must be surgically removed. This is very important. If the tumor is cancerous (malignant), a little more treatment may be needed.

Surgery

MainlyThere are several types of surgery .

• Wide Excision Surgery: In this, the lump is removed along with a small amount of healthy breast tissue around it. This is done to prevent the lump from growing back in the same area.
• Lumpectomy: This is also a lumpectomy. Here, the lump is removed along with about 1 centimeter of healthy tissue around it. After the surgery, a specialist (pathologist) looks at the removed tissue under a microscope. This can confirm whether the lump has been completely removed.
• Mastectomy: This surgery is performed if the lump is very large, cancerous (malignant), or if the breast is too small to be easily removed with a lumpectomy. Here, part or all of the breast is removed. If necessary, breast reconstruction surgery can be performed at the same time or later.

The good news is that Phyllodes tumors rarely spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit, so they often don't need to be removed.

Radiation or chemotherapy

If you have a malignant Phyllodes tumor and it has not spread beyond the breast, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy. In rare cases where the tumor has spread beyond the breast, chemotherapy may also be given.

What happens after treatment? (Follow-up)

Because these tumors can recur, proper medical follow-up after surgery is extremely important.

• Within 4-6 months after surgery, you should see your doctor for a breast exam, a mammogram, and an ultrasound scan. Your doctor may also recommend an MRI .
• It is essential to have mammograms and/or ultrasounds on time, according to the schedule provided by your doctor.
• If you had a cancerous (malignant) lump , you may also need to have CT scans of your chest and abdomen scheduled for about 5 years after surgery.

So, should we be afraid of this situation?

The results after surgical removal of a non-cancerous (benign) lump are very good . There is nothing to be afraid of.

Even malignant tumors can be completely cured with treatment. However, they are more likely to recur. Although they can rarely spread to other areas, such as the lungs, women with cancerous Phyllodes tumors have a very high survival rate. Therefore, it is important not to panic and follow the doctor's instructions exactly.

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