Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of phyllodes tumors in a tertiary care center: a retrospective study.

Background: Phyllodes tumors (PTs) are rare breast tumors that account for less than 1% of all breast tumors worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), PTs can be classified as benign, borderline, or malignant based on their microscopic features. Currently, surgical excision with a clear margin is the standard treatment for PTs. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of PTs at a tertiary care hospital to explore their association with recurrence and other clinical outcomes.

Methods: This study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between 2015 and 2024. We retrospectively collected and analyzed data to identify the outcomes of PTs in relation to their pathological characteristics. The data included demographics, clinical presentation, radiological features, surgery type, and histopathological features.

Results: Thirty-seven patients with PT (12 benign, 14 borderline, and 11 malignant) were included. The mean age was 43.7 years, and the average tumor size was 9 cm. According to our analyzed data, 7 (18.9%) of the patients had local recurrence and systemic after surgery: one benign, two borderline, and four malignant. Focal infiltrative margin type was significantly correlated with recurrence rate (P=0.01).

Conclusions: We conclude that PT with focal infiltration has a higher risk for recurrence of the tumor. Margin status and stromal cellularity do not correlate with the recurrence rate. A multi-center study with a larger sample size is recommended to reach more accurate results.