This page is about phyllodes of the breast. It includes information about the types of phyllodes, as well as how they’re diagnosed and treated.
Phyllodes is pronounced ‘fih-loh-deez’.
What are phyllodes of the breast?
Phyllodes are a rare type of sarcoma found in the breast. Phyllodes tumours are usually benign (not cancer) but some can be borderline or malignant (cancer).
They are most often found in women aged 40 to 50 before the menopause. However, they can happen in women of any age. They can occasionally happen to men too.
About 58 new cases of malignant phyllodes are diagnosed every year in England. We do not know how many benign or borderline tumours there are, as these are not recorded in national cancer data.
If you want to know more, we have statistics about phyllodes on our soft tissue data hub.
Types of phyllodes
There are three types of phyllodes tumour:
Benign phyllodes
Benign means that it is not cancerous. Around 50 to 70% of phyllodes are benign.
Borderline phyllodes
Borderline phyllodes are too abnormal to be benign, but may not be cancerous either.
Malignant phyllodes
Malignant means cancerous. Malignant phyllodes are closer to soft tissue sarcomas than they are to other breast cancers. Other breast cancers grow in the milk ducts or milk glands, whereas malignant phyllodes grow in the connective tissues, such as fat or muscle. Between 20% and 30% of phyllodes are cancerous.
Symptoms of phyllodes
Phyllodes can appear as:
- a smooth, hard lump in the breast
- a lump in the breast which grows quickly over weeks or months
- a bulge in the breast
- an abnormal mass on a breast screening.
In rare cases, and usually when the tumour is advanced, it can grow through the skin and form an ulcer (an open sore).
A phyllodes tumour can be mistaken for fibroadenomas, which are benign lumps in milk glands. In many cases, they can behave similarly. However, phyllodes usually grow quickly and are more common in women in their 40s and 50s. Fibroadenomas are more common in women in their 20s and 30s.
Diagnosing phyllodes
Phyllodes are rare and can often look like other tumours. This means they can be hard to diagnose.
If your GP or breast screening service find something unusual, they will refer you to a breast clinic for further tests.
Sometimes a phyllodes tumour is diagnosed after surgery, when a pathologist can study the tissue closely.
There are 3 tests you might have for suspected breast cancer:
- A physical examination
- A scan such as a mammogram or ultrasound
- A biopsy, where a small sample of tissue is tested.
We have more information about the different scans and tests you might have.
Treating phyllodes
Benign phyllodes tumours can be treated by a local breast cancer unit.
If your phyllodes are borderline or malignant, they should be treated under the care of a sarcoma specialist centre.
Depending on where you live, surgery might be in a breast cancer unit, or a sarcoma unit. The sarcoma unit should always be involved in any decisions about your care.
Surgery for phyllodes
Surgery is the main treatment for any type of phyllodes tumour.
Most people have breast-conserving surgery or a lumpectomy. This is where a surgeon will remove the tumour without removing the entire breast. The surgeon will remove an area of healthy tissue around the breast to prevent the tumour returning. This is called taking a surgical margin.
Some people might need a mastectomy. This is when all the breast tissue is removed from the breast. This might happen if the tumour is large or aggressive.
A mastectomy is a big decision for a lot of women. It’s normal to feel worried about this. Your surgeons can talk you through the options you have with reconstructive surgery or implants. Reconstruction for phyllodes tumours usually happens after completing treatment.
Radiotherapy for phyllodes
Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation beams to destroy cancer cells. It is sometimes used after surgery for malignant phyllodes and for some borderline phyllodes. The aim of radiotherapy after surgery is to kill off any remaining cancer cells.
You are more likely to have radiotherapy for phyllodes if:
- the tumour was larger than 5cm
- if surgeons were unable to remove the tumour with wide enough margins.
You will only have radiotherapy if it will benefit you. Your medical team will be able to discuss this in more detail after surgery.
Chemotherapy for phyllodes
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or control cancer growth. It is not usually used to treat phyllodes. However, it may be used if a phyllodes tumour has spread to other parts of the body.
After treatment
After your treatment is finished, you will have follow-up appointments for several years. This is where your doctor can look for signs of your phyllodes coming back.
At a follow-up appointment, you will have:
- a chance to discuss symptoms
- an examination to look for any signs of phyllodes returning
- a mammogram
- a chest X-ray to rule out secondary cancer in the lungs.
You should check your body for any changes through self-examination. If you are worried that your tumour has come back, contact your doctor or clinical nurse specialist (CNS). They may decide to bring forward the date of your follow-up appointment to review your symptoms.
If your phyllodes come back, you will start a new treatment plan.
Recurrence
Phyllodes can sometimes come back in the same area. This is called local recurrence. Recurrence is much less likely if you’ve had surgery with wide margins.
A recurrence of cancer can happen in other parts of the body too. This is called metastasis or secondary cancer. Malignant phyllodes can sometimes spread to other parts of the body.
Treatment for secondary phyllodes may involve surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.20 You can also get support from your CNS on managing symptoms and side effects.
Living with phyllodes
Living with a phyllodes tumour can be hard. We have support to help you with your mental health, physical health, and we also have financial support. No matter what you’re worried about, we’re here to support you.
If you have any more questions about phyllodes of the breast, or if you need to talk to someone, our Support Line team are here for you.
More support
Call the Support Line
The Sarcoma UK Support Line is here for every person affected by sarcoma. Get in touch for friendly, expert, confidential and free advice on anything to do with sarcoma.
Join a support group
There are a number of sarcoma support groups across the UK. We have more information about support groups available online and in your local area.
Other charities
- Breast Cancer Now has information and support for phyllodes tumours.
- Macmillan Cancer Support has support for phyllodes tumours.
Last reviewed December 2025
Next review due December 2028
