Phyllodes tumor in ectopic breast tissue of the left axilla: a case report

Introduction: Aberrant or ectopic breast tissue (EBT) is an unusual persistentbreast tissue that remained from normal embryonic development, and seen in 2-6% of the women. Previously, these tumors called Cystsarcoma Phyllodes.Today, the World Health Organization recommended, and appling Phyllodestumor term for them. The later term was applied to indicate large fleshyneoplasm with a leaf-like gross pattern on the cut sections and is not originallyintended to denote malignant behavior. Phyllodes tumor is a rare fibroepithelialneoplasm of the breast that accounts for about 0.5% of breast tumors in femalesand tends to behave in a benign fashion, but rarely may undergo sarcomata’stransformation. It is a disease almost exclusively of women, and occurs mostoften in the third and fourth decades of life. The aim of this paper is todocument occurrence of a rare case of Phyllodes tumor in ectopic breast tissueof the left axilla.Case presentation: We present a case of Phyllodes tumor in ectopic breasttissue of the left axilla diagnosed in a 48 year old woman at the Velaat hospital,in April 2012. The patient presented with a palpable mass in left axilla for sevenmonths. On physical examination, the non tender and mobile mass was solitaryand ovaloid with about 5.5 cm in diameter. Both breasts and associated lymphnodes were unremarkable. Excisional biopsy was carried out under generalanesthesia. At surgery, the mass has well defined and was easily removed.Histopathological review of the excised mass revealed a well-circumscribedtumor composed of mesenchymal and epithelial elements. The epithelialcomponent is characterized by elongated leaf-like epithelial proliferation. Themesenchymal component showed increased stromal cellularity mainly in periductalregions. The cellular atypia, necrosis, or high mitotic activities were notfound. These features most probably were in favor of benign phyllodes tumor.No evidence of disease recurrence was noted after 8 months follow up.Conclusion: Phyllodes tumor is a rare breast tumor, and is even much rarer inextramammary locations. However it is a certain tumor that produces aspectrum of diseases ranging from benign, yet with the potential of localrecurrences, to malignant, sometimes with a rapidly progressive course.

Keywords:

Phyllodes tumor , Axilla , Ectopic breast tissue