# Case report: rapid growth of malignant phyllodes tumor

## TL;DR

A 19-year-old woman with a rapidly growing breast mass was diagnosed with a malignant phyllodes tumor, a rare cancer that is challenging to detect in younger patients.

## Contribution

This case highlights the diagnostic difficulty of phyllodes tumors in young women and emphasizes the need for tailored multidisciplinary management.

## Key findings

- A 19-year-old female presented with a rapidly enlarging breast mass diagnosed as a malignant phyllodes tumor.
- The tumor measured 24 × 12 × 7 cm with cystic components and was managed with a total mastectomy.
- Phyllodes tumors require individualized treatment approaches due to their complex nature and diagnostic challenges.

## Abstract

Phyllodes tumors (PT) are exceedingly rare fibroepithelial neoplasms that arise from breast stromal tissue, primarily occurring in women in the fourth and fifth decade. This poses a diagnostic challenge among younger women with breast masses, such as those in their late teens to early thirties, where benign breast masses such as fibroadenomas are more common. In this report, a 19-year-old female presented with a rapidly enlarging complex mass of the right breast over the course of two months. An ultrasound revealed a mass measuring 19 × 17 × 23 cm, with multiple solid and cystic components. The mass was classified as BI-RADS 4. Due to the continuous growth, the patient underwent total right mastectomy. Final pathology revealed a malignant phyllodes tumor measuring 24 × 12 × 7 cm with cystic component. Phyllodes tumor management remains complex, requiring a tailored multidisciplinary approach based on individual tumor characteristics and patient factors.