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Breast lumps that grow to 40 centimeters: How did the Phyllodes tumor mutate into a dangerous giant?
Among many breast tumors, Phyllodes tumor has attracted wide attention due to its rare characteristics and amazing growth ability. This tumor, which originates from the fibroepithelial cells in the breast tissue, is often difficult to diagnose. Although its incidence is less than 1%, its rapid growth rate and the fact that it can reach a size of 40 cm make this tumor a health problem that cannot be ignored.
Characteristics of Phyllodes TumorsPhyllodes tumors are named after the Greek word "phullon," meaning "leaf," because of their distinctive leaf-like projections on microscopic histology. These tumors often present as a firm, movable, painless mass that is often discovered incidentally in the breast. As the tumor grows, patients may experience changes in the surrounding tissues, such as nipple inversion or fixation of the chest wall.
"These tumors grow at different rates, sometimes slowly and sometimes extremely rapidly, which makes them more challenging and potentially risky."
Etiology and development mechanism
Currently, experts are undecided on the exact cause of Phyllodes tumor. Studies have shown that certain gene mutations are associated with its development, especially in patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome and BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations. Patients with a history of male breast hyperplasia have a relatively higher chance of developing this tumor.
Diagnosis and evaluation
The preferred method for diagnosing Phyllodes tumor is imaging examination, however, due to its growth rate and changing characteristics, about 20% of the tumors may not be palpable during initial screening. The final diagnosis relies on a core needle biopsy, followed by histological examination to determine whether the tumor is benign or malignant.
Treatment methods
Currently, the main treatment for Phyllodes tumors is surgical resection, which requires a margin of more than 1 cm during resection. Although the surgical results are good, there is still a risk of local recurrence after surgery. For borderline and malignant tumors, radiation therapy may also help reduce local recurrence rates.
Prognosis
According to current data, the ten-year survival rate for patients with Phyllodes tumors who have undergone proper surgical resection is as high as 87%. However, once the tumor becomes more malignant, the prognosis becomes significantly worse.
EpidemiologyPhyllodes tumors mainly occur in adult women, with the age of onset mostly concentrated between 40 and 50 years old. Young women are more likely to have benign tumors, while older women are more likely to face the challenge of high-grade malignant tumors.
As we study Phyllodes tumors more deeply, we are beginning to understand their complex biological characteristics, but there are still many questions that need to be answered. For example, are there effective ways to identify such tumors early to reduce potential health risks and mortality?
