Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of different categories of phyllodes tumors and their recurrence rates and outcomes.
Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted in the histopathology department of Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad. The study included 157 cases, with data collected over the past decade. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of phyllodes tumor on excision biopsy were included, while core biopsies and reports lacking tumor categorization were excluded. Data were retrieved through electronic medical records and follow-up information was obtained by contacting the patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.
Results: Out of 157 cases, 62(39.5%) were benign, 48 (30.6%) borderline, and 47(29.9%) malignant. The mean age was 37±13.07 years. Ten (6.3%) patients experienced local recurrence, with eight cases having single and two cases having multiple recurrences. Recurrence was most observed in malignant (n=5/157,3.1%) and borderline (n=4/157,2.5%) cases compared to benign cases (n=1/157,0.63%). The minimum time to recurrence was 10 months and was primarily associated with lumpectomy. Age, histological grade, and stromal overgrowth were statistically significant factors associated with recurrence.
Conclusion: Benign phyllodes tumours were the most frequent histopathological diagnosis. Recurrence occurred in 6.3% cases. Age, histological grade, and stromal overgrowth were significantly associated with recurrence (p≤0.05) in the univariate Cox proportional regression model, while age was the most significant factor in the multivariate model.

Key words: Phyllodes, breast cancer, local recurrence, malignancy, histopathology.