What is a Phyllodes Tumor?

— -- Question: What is a phyllodes tumor?

Answer: Phyllodes sarcoma, or phyllodes tumors, are unusual cancers of the breast. They are usually from the soft-tissue component of the breast. Ninety-nine percent of all breast cancers occur from the ducts -- the ducts that line the mammary glands, which make milk. The tissue between the ducts is soft tissue, or mesenchymal-derived tissue, and this type of tissue is the source of the phyllodes tumor.

These tumors can be removed either by surgery, and depending on the extent of them, sometimes involves removing the breast. They do not carry the same prognosis as invasive breast cancer and are usually treated best by surgery.

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