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What are the treatment options for a phyllodes tumor?

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Phyllodes Tumor Breast Cancer Treatment Options Treatments

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Phyllodes Tumor X Breast Cancer X Treatment Options X Treatments X

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Answers (2)

member2787 (Survivor (2 - 5 years)) - 07 / 02 / 2011

Phyllodes tumors are a rare sarcoma type of cancer that occures within the connective tissues of the breast. It is technically a soft tissue sarcoma but originates within the breast so in some respects and fortunately we are now also catagorized as breast cancer as well. For US Phyllodes survivors this is fortunate as we can now have coverages previously not available from insurance and orgizations as well as making it easier to locate other Phyllode survivors. This is very helpful when dealing with a rare cancer as there is little or no information on treatment options and so forth. Phyllodes is reported to rarely metastisize though will often reoccur in or near the previous location. Surgery is the main treatment for Phyllodes or PT's until recently, but there was a study done in NH by Dr. Barth that has indicated that radiation has reduced the reoccurance rate. Thus far chemotherapy has proved to be useless in treatment of PT but when there is mets. often the treatment will include chemo but as far as I know there has been no success in it's use. It is unfortnate but if the mets are in a location where they cannot be surgically removed the prognosis is not good.

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DrAttai (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified) ) - 07 / 03 / 2011

It is important to note that phyllodes tumors are often categorized as benign and malignant. Benign phyllodes tumors are more common, and the treatment is surgical excision with a clear margin. They can become quite large, and rarely, mastectomy is needed; most can be removed with a lumpectomy. They do have the potential to recur in the breast, but do not have the potential to metastasize or spread to other areas of the body, and no other treatment besides removal is recommended.

Malignant phyllodes tumors are fortunately much less common. As mentioned by knutter1, chemotherapy has not been shown to be effective, and the data regarding radiation therapy is limited, but radiation therapy might be beneficial in some cases.

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Latest Activity: 07 / 05 / 2011
Views: 1294
Followed By: 3 members