by D. Vogt

Created on: September 03, 2010

A Phylloides tumor, more commonly spelled Phyllodes tumor, is an extremely rare but deadly form of breast cancer. Only about one in one hundred cases of breast cancer is caused by a Phyllodes tumor. In very rare circumstances, the same sort of tumor may also arise in men's prostate glands, as a form of prostate cancer. Phyllodes tumors grow in the connective tissue, known as the stroma.

Phyllodes tumor occurs most commonly in pre-menopausal middle-aged women, particularly in their 40s. However, they can appear at other ages, including in teenaged girls. Many and perhaps even most incidences of Phyllodes tumor actually turn out to be benign, meaning they will not spread and therefore are not life-threatening. When it is malignant, however, this is one of the most fast-growing types of breast cancer, with noticeable and serious changes in the size of the tumor sometimes occurring in a matter of weeks. Like Phyllodes tumor in the breast, Phyllodes tumor in the prostate may also be malignant or benign, but when malignant is fast-growing and aggressive.

Because the tumor grows so quickly, the Merck Manual states that at the time of diagnosis it may already be several centimetres in diameter, and between one in ten and one in five victims will already have had the tumor metastasize, or spread, to distant parts of the body.

Although research continues, there is currently no known way to treat Phyllodes tumour with either radiation treatment or with medication (chemotherapy). Instead, the only option for treating the tumor is surgical removal. Surgery is common whether benign or malignant, although in cases of a malignant tumor, the surgeon will typically remove more tissue to reduce the chance of missing cancerous tissue. So long as the cancer has not spread, surgery is generally an effective means of eliminating the cancer from the body, although it may still return after treatment. If it has spread, chemotherapy may still be attempted, but is not as effective as in other forms of breast cancer.

If you are concerned that you may be suffering from Phyllodes tumor or any other form of breast cancer, you should discuss your concerns with your doctor. As with all other forms of cancer, an early diagnosis dramatically raises the chances of an effective treatment for breast cancer.

- Sources and More Information -

American Cancer Society. "What is Breast Cancer?"

Mayo Clinic. "Breast Cancer Types: What Your Type Means."

Merck Manual. "Phyllodes Tumor: Breast Disorders."

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