Benign phyllodes tumors are successfully treated by removing the mass and a narrow margin of normal breast tissue. A malignant phyllodes tumor is treated by removing it along with a wider margin of normal tissue, or by mastectomy. These cancers do not respond to hormonal therapy and are less likely than most breast cancers to respond to chemotherapy or radiation therapy. In the past, both benign and malignant phyllodes tumors were referred to as cystosarcoma phyllodes. They have a better prognosis than usual infiltrating ductal or lobular carcinomas.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, excluding skin cancers.
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 1999 about 175,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States. An estimated 1,300 cases will be diagnosed among men. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, second only to lung cancer. It is the leading cause of cancer death among women aged 40 to 55. The breast cancer mortality rate, a measure of breast cancer deaths per 100,000 women, has been decreasing during the past few years.