Under- and Normal-Weight Patients Are More Susceptible to Recurrence of Phyllodes Tumor

Phyllodes tumors (PTs) of the breast are rare fibroepithelial neoplasms, and factors associated with the recurrence of PTs are poorly understood. This study sought to identify clinicopathological factors associated with the recurrence of PTs.

From January 2009 to December 2019, we identified 100 patients who underwent definitive surgery for PT. Clinicopathological risk factors associated with the recurrence of PT were assessed.

The median age of the patients was 44 y (range, 19-62 y), and the median tumor size was 4 cm (0.8-30 cm). At a median follow-up of 26.7 mo (0-103 mo), 22 of the 100 patients experienced local recurrence. In the univariate and multivariate analyses, body mass index ≥ 23 kg/m² (P = 0.042 in the univariate analysis; P = 0.039 in the multivariate analysis), tumor size ≥ 5 cm (P = 0.006 in the univariate analysis; P = 0.036 in the multivariate analysis), and the presence of stromal overgrowth (P = 0.032 in the univariate analysis; P = 0.040 in the multivariate analysis) were associated with an increased risk of local recurrence. Resection margins and grade were not associated with local recurrence.

Normal- or underweight patients and those with larger tumor sizes were more prone to local recurrence. Further larger, multicenter studies with a long-term follow-up are required.