The mammographic features of phyllodes tumors of the breast

Objective To study the mammographic characteristics of breast phyllodes tumors and correlate them to the pathological features in order to enhance the recognition of the tumor.Methods Imaging findings were retrospectively reviewed in 50 cases with 54 phyllodes tumors confirmed by surgical pathology,including 26 benign,22 borderline and 6 malignant tumors.Results Of the 54 lesions,50 appeared as masses(92.6%)with or without calcification,and 4 lesions were missed mammographically.50 masses on mammography included 23 benign tumors,21 borderline tumors and 6 malignant tumors,and most of them were lobulated(31/50,62.0%),round(5/50,10.0%)or oval(13/50, 26.0%).Most masses showed circumscribed or partially obscured margins(40/50,80.0%),the others presented indistinct (9/50,18.0%)or microlobulated(1/50,2.0%)margins.37 masses were of high density and 13 were of isodensity. Only 3 masses were associated with calcifications.The results showed significant differences in tumor's margins(benign vs malignant phyllodes tumors,P=0.003,borderline vs malignant phyllodes tumors,P=0.044).Conclusion On mammography most phyllodes tumors of the breast are high-density masses with lobulated,round or oval shape,and calcifications are rare.The feature of margin may help differentiate benign and malignant phyllodes tumors.