Phyllodes Tumor

What are Phyllodes tumors?

In Greek, the word phyllode means "like a leaf." Tumors in the breast that have cells that grow in a leaf-like pattern are called phyllodes tumors. You may be tempted to compare them to a weed because they grow very quickly and tend to recur (come back).

Phyllodes tumors are rare, are typically benign (not cancerous) and do not usually spread beyond the breast tissue. Main Line Health offers complete diagnosis and treatment for benign and cancerous breast tumors, including surgical removal of phyllodes tumors.

The difference between phyllodes tumors and fibroadenomas

Most women discover they have a phyllodes tumor because they can actually feel the lump in their breast during self-examination. Your doctor may also discover the lump during an examination. The lump is not usually painful and can easily be mistaken for a fibroadenoma — a common type of non-cancerous breast mass.

The phyllodes tumor grows very quickly and is often noticeably larger within weeks or months. It may become large enough to be seen as a bulge pressing against your skin.

Even with its quick growth and obvious lump, a phyllodes tumor is hard to diagnose because of its similarity to a fibroadenoma.

Although most types of breast masses are diagnosed through mammogram imaging or even biopsy, your doctor may not be able to confirm that you have a phyllodes tumor until it has been completely removed. Once removed, the cells can be examined under a microscope and the difference between a common fibroadenomas and the more rare phyllodes tumor will be apparent.