Low local recurrence rates in young Asian patients with phyllodes tumours: less is more

BACKGROUND: Phyllodes tumours are increasingly being discovered incidentally in young patients after excision of a seemingly innocuous breast lump. The clinical course of this group of patients has not been well-described, especially in the Asian population. METHODS: A retrospective review of 44 consecutive patients below 25 years of age undergoing surgery for phyllodes tumours at our institution from 1992 to 2010 was conducted. Clinico-pathological data, local recurrence rates and margin involvement were recorded. RESULTS: The majority of the patients had benign lesions treated with simple enucleation, and there were no local recurrences documented after a mean and median length of follow-up of 47.6 and 29.5 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: We conclude that in young Asian patients who present with benign phyllodes tumours, simple excision, followed by close follow-up is sufficient, regardless of surgical margin status.