Case Report

Pulmonary metastasis as late recurrence of borderline phyllodes tumor: A case report and review of long-term surveillance

Volume: 40 Number: 3 July 30, 2026
Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine Cover
Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine
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Pulmonary metastasis as late recurrence of borderline phyllodes tumor: A case report and review of long-term surveillance

Abstract

Phyllodes tumors are uncommon fibroepithelial neoplasms of the breast with heterogeneous biological behavior, ranging from indolent to highly aggressive forms. Borderline phyllodes tumors, in particular, represent a diagnostic and clinical challenge due to their unpredictable clinical course and intermediate metastatic potential. We report the case of a 55-year-old woman with a prior history of breast-conserving surgery for a borderline phyllodes tumor who presented with local recurrence and synchronous pulmonary metastases ten years after the initial diagnosis. Following excisional biopsy confirming recurrence, the patient received adjuvant radiotherapy. Subsequent thoracic computed tomography revealed multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with wedge resection and lymph node sampling confirmed metastatic phyllodes tumor. The patient was discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board, and systemic chemotherapy was planned. This case highlights the potential for late recurrence and distant metastasis in borderline phyllodes tumors, underscoring the necessity for prolonged surveillance. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of comprehensive systemic evaluation, particularly thoracic imaging, in patients presenting with recurrence. VATS represents a valuable minimally invasive approach for both diagnosis and staging in selected cases.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

No

Ethical Statement

This is a single case report, and therefore ethics committee approval was not required in accordance with institutional policies.

Thanks

No

References

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  4. 4. Zhou ZR, Wang CC, Yang ZZ, Yu XL, Guo XM. Phyllodes tumors of the breast: diagnosis, treatment and prognostic factors related to recurrence. J Thorac Dis. 2016;8:3361-3368.
  5. 5. Ostapenko E, Burneckis A, Ostapenko A, Skaisgirytė A, Ostapenko V. Malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast with metastases to the lungs: A case report and literature review. Radiol Case Rep. 2022;17:4006-4012.
  6. 6. Moon SH, Jung JH, Lee J, Kim WW, Park HY, Lee JW, et al. Complete remission of giant malignant phyllodes tumor with lung metastasis: A case report. Medicine. 2019;98:e15762.
  7. 7. Johnson ED, Gulbahce E, McNally J, Buys SS. Malignant Phyllodes Tumor Presenting in Bone, Brain, Lungs, and Lymph Nodes. Case Rep Oncol. 2016;9:861-868.
  8. 8. Naito K, Nakagawa M, Kondo Y, Fukuzumi M, Sangai T. Malignant Phyllodes Tumor With Left Atrial and Bilateral Pulmonary Metastases Treated Surgically: A Case Report. Cureus. 2025;17:e100309.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Chest Diseases, Clinical Oncology

Journal Section

Case Report

Authors

Publication Date

July 30, 2026

Submission Date

May 14, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 22, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 40 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1951059

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA49BB99FJ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex
APA
Kılıç, K. N., Kaytaz Alkaş, B., Teoman, G., & Türkyılmaz, A. (2026). Pulmonary metastasis as late recurrence of borderline phyllodes tumor: A case report and review of long-term surveillance. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine, 40(3), 431-437. https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1951059
AMA
1.Kılıç KN, Kaytaz Alkaş B, Teoman G, Türkyılmaz A. Pulmonary metastasis as late recurrence of borderline phyllodes tumor: A case report and review of long-term surveillance. Dev Exp Health Med. 2026;40(3):431-437. doi:10.18614/dehm.1951059
Chicago
Kılıç, Kübra Nur, Buket Kaytaz Alkaş, Gizem Teoman, and Atila Türkyılmaz. 2026. “Pulmonary Metastasis As Late Recurrence of Borderline Phyllodes Tumor: A Case Report and Review of Long-Term Surveillance”. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine 40 (3): 431-37. https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1951059.
EndNote
Kılıç KN, Kaytaz Alkaş B, Teoman G, Türkyılmaz A (July 1, 2026) Pulmonary metastasis as late recurrence of borderline phyllodes tumor: A case report and review of long-term surveillance. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine 40 3 431–437.
IEEE
[1]K. N. Kılıç, B. Kaytaz Alkaş, G. Teoman, and A. Türkyılmaz, “Pulmonary metastasis as late recurrence of borderline phyllodes tumor: A case report and review of long-term surveillance”, Dev Exp Health Med, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 431–437, July 2026, doi: 10.18614/dehm.1951059.
ISNAD
Kılıç, Kübra Nur - Kaytaz Alkaş, Buket - Teoman, Gizem - Türkyılmaz, Atila. “Pulmonary Metastasis As Late Recurrence of Borderline Phyllodes Tumor: A Case Report and Review of Long-Term Surveillance”. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine 40/3 (July 1, 2026): 431-437. https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1951059.
JAMA
1.Kılıç KN, Kaytaz Alkaş B, Teoman G, Türkyılmaz A. Pulmonary metastasis as late recurrence of borderline phyllodes tumor: A case report and review of long-term surveillance. Dev Exp Health Med. 2026;40:431–437.
MLA
Kılıç, Kübra Nur, et al. “Pulmonary Metastasis As Late Recurrence of Borderline Phyllodes Tumor: A Case Report and Review of Long-Term Surveillance”. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine, vol. 40, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 431-7, doi:10.18614/dehm.1951059.
Vancouver
1.Kübra Nur Kılıç, Buket Kaytaz Alkaş, Gizem Teoman, Atila Türkyılmaz. Pulmonary metastasis as late recurrence of borderline phyllodes tumor: A case report and review of long-term surveillance. Dev Exp Health Med. 2026 Jul. 1;40(3):431-7. doi:10.18614/dehm.1951059