Malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast with metastases to the lungs: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Phyllodes tumors (PTs) are rare fibroepithelial neoplasms of the breasts. Approximately 10%-15% of PTs are malignant, and 9%-27% of patients with malignant PTs, develop metastatic disease. The lungs are the most common target organ for distant metastasis of PT. We report a case of 44-year-old female with a malignant PT. It had recurred locally 3 times, and 3 relapses occurred 13 months after the first diagnosis, presenting multiple metastases to the lungs by CT scan. The patient underwent radiation therapy, and palliative chemotherapy with doxorubicin was initiated. Two courses of doxorubicin therapy were administered, but the patient expired 16 months after PT diagnosis. We present a rare case of malignant PT with local recurrences, lung metastases, and poor patient outcome. Although malignant breast PTs have an unfavorable prognosis, adjuvant radiotherapy combined with margin-negative resection may be associated with decreased local recurrence and distant metastasis rates. Future research should include randomized clinical trials or well-designed prospective matched studies to clarify the effectiveness of treatments of PTs.

Keywords

• Case report
• Malignant phyllodes tumor
• Lung metastasis
• Recurrence