Phyllodes tumour

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Hello

I had a biopsy a few weeks ago and they found a phyllodes tumour having originally thought it was a fibroadenoma. The histology report said that there is disorganised proliferation of spindle cells with frequent mitoses (up to 11/10hpf) and that the morphology and immunoprofile raise the possibility of a borderline/malignant tumour. When the consultant called me to discuss this, he said I would need the lump removed within 4-6 weeks.

Since getting the biopsy I have moved to Canada and do have access to health services in my province. I was referred to a specialist clinic by a walk in clinic which, I thought, sent my histology over too. However, I have been scheduled an appointment with a consultant in mid March, which I assume will then be followed by the operation. When I called the specialist clinic, they said that I had been put on the "benign" track. I have since called them to ask whether I should be on a faster track but have not heard back.

Can you give me a sense of how worried I should be about this and how much to push for a quicker appointment? I don't want to be pushy but I am also concerned about maybe information being lost along the way.

thank you!

Fiona-Macmillan over 3 years ago

Hi EmG

Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the Online Community. I’m Fiona one of the Cancer Information nurse Specialists here on the Macmillan Support Line.

I can appreciate you concern with being put onto a benign pathway in Canada after being told that you would need surgery to remove the lump within 4-6 weeks.

In the UK if the biopsy pathology shows a suspicion that a phyllodes tumour may be borderline/malignant you are treated on the cancer pathway. This means that once a treatment plan is decided on and accepted you should ideally start treatment within 31days. This can sometimes be longer or shorter depending on waiting times and type of cancer.

I’m not sure how the health care system in Canada works but because your initial report from your biopsy indicated the possibility of a borderline/malignant tumour we would recommend chasing up your appointment again with the specialist clinic. Don’t worry about being pushy, you need to be clear on how they came to a decision about putting you on a benign pathway.

Hopefully you will be given the opportunity to have a conversation with your specialist sooner to chat through your pathology and get a date organised for your surgery.

Best wishes,

Fiona

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Phyllodes tumour