A case of unusual multifocal phyllodes tumor with repeated subsequent recurrences is reported. A 40-year-old woman was seen at the hospital because of a tumor in the upper outer quadrant of the left breast. These were previous histories of undergoing excisions of the same region at the ages of 28, 32, 38 and 39. These tumors had been first diagnosed as fibroadenoma, and then finally diagnosed as benign phyllodes tumor at the age of 39. In the present case, ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) scans showed multiple tumors in the different 3 areas in her left breast. Although we performed a wide excision (breast conserving surgery) according to the patient's strong willingness, her left breast was mostly occupied by multiple tumors. After the operation, the patient recovered quickly, and has been kept in a good dondition without any evidence of recurrence for more than 6 months. The histopathological findings showed growth of both epithelial and stromal components with weak cellular atypia and low cellularity, and no mitotic figures in stromal cells. These findings indicated benign phyllodes tumor for all tumors.
The etiology of phyllodes tumor, relationship to fibroadenoma, the mechanism of multifocal recurrence with or without malignant change, and the prognosis of this disease are discussed.