Identifying Phyllodes Tumors After Core Needle Breast Biopsy | Dr. Daniel Gould

Dr. Daniel Gould co-authored this research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, examining factors that may help distinguish cystosarcoma phyllodes, now commonly referred to as phyllodes tumors, from other fibroepithelial breast lesions.

Phyllodes tumors are rare, accounting for less than 1% of breast neoplasms, and can resemble fibroadenomas on core needle biopsy. This similarity can make treatment decisions challenging, particularly when biopsy results identify a cellular fibroepithelial lesion but do not provide a definitive diagnosis.

The researchers retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent surgical removal of breast lesions following core needle biopsy. They compared clinical and pathological characteristics to determine whether certain factors were associated with a final diagnosis of phyllodes tumor.

The study found that lesions ultimately diagnosed as phyllodes tumors were larger on imaging than those that remained classified as fibroepithelial lesions following surgical resection. The analysis also identified additional patient characteristics associated with the final diagnosis.

The findings provide clinicians with additional information that may help guide surgical decision-making when core needle biopsy produces an uncertain fibroepithelial diagnosis, supporting a more informed approach to evaluating these uncommon breast lesions.