Margin Width and Local Recurrence in Patients with Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast

Optimal surgical margin width for patients with phyllodes tumors (PTs) of the breast remains debated. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of margin width on long-term local recurrence risk.

This was a single-institution retrospective review of patients with confirmed PT treated from 2008–2015. Margins were defined as positive (ink on tumor), narrow (no tumor at inked margin but < 10mm), or widely free (>/= 10mm). LR rates were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method.

Among 117 female patients, histology included 55 (47%) benign, 29 (25%) borderline, and 33 (28%) malignant PT. Final margins were positive in 16 (14%), narrow in 32 (27%), widely free in 64 (55%), and unknown in 5 (4%) patients. Compared with margins > 10 mm, patients with positive and narrow margins had a higher LR risk [HR 10.57 (95% CI 2.48–45.02) and HR 5.66 (95% CI 1.19–26.99), respectively]. Among benign PTs, the 10-year LR-free rates were 100%, 94%, and 66% for widely negative, narrow, and positive margins, respectively (p = 0.056). For borderline/malignant PT, the 10-year LR-free rates were 93% and 57% for widely negative and narrow margins, respectively (p = 0.02), with no difference in LR between narrow and positive margin groups (p = 1.00).

For benign PTs, a margin of no ink on tumor appears sufficient to optimize local control. In patients with borderline or malignant PTs, achieving a wide surgical margin may remain important as narrower margins were associated with LR rates comparable to those with positive margins.