Percutaneous removal of benign phyllodes tumor of the breast: An alternative to surgery

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of vacuum assisted percutaneous excision in the treatment of benign phyllodes tumors of the breast. From 2007 to 2016, a total of 160 benign fibroepithelial nodules were percutaneously removed in our department. Ultrasonographic follow-up was performed 12 months after the procedure to assess recurrence. Out of the 160 nodules excised, 11 lesions corresponded to benign phyllodes tumors. The median patient age was 39.7 years. The average size of the lesion was 16.9 mm. Ultrasound-guided biopsy was performed before the percutaneous removal in eight of them. Six were histopathologically diagnosed as fibroadenomas, one as phyllodes tumor and in one case histological findings were inconclusive. The mean surveillance period was 27.7 months. During the follow-up period, local recurrence was detected in one patient (9%). We conclude that percutaneous excision of benign phyllodes tumors is not associated with greater risk of recurrence than surgery.