Phyllodes tumors of the breast

Our objective was to study the color and pulse Doppler ultrasonography of phyllodes tumors of the breast. The data of 36 phyllodes tumors (19 benign, 5 borderline, and 12 malignant) were reviewed retrospectively. The median age of the patients was 41.5 years (range 13-62 years), and the tumors varied in size from 1.5 to 20 cm (median 4.6 cm). Most of the phyllodes tumors were lobulated masses with smooth margins, mildly hypoechoic internal echo texture, a heterogeneous internal echo pattern, and no microcalcification. Vessels were detectable on 35 of these tumors, with 51.4% having resistance index >0.700, 45.7% having pulsatility index >1.300, and 51.4% having V_max >15 cm/s. The color Doppler characteristics were of no significant use in predicting the histological nature of the phyllodes tumors. If the sonographic features suggest a phyllodes tumor, a histological examination should be conducted to confirm the diagnosis.