Breast cancer is a complex disease that is made up of many different kinds of tumors. Breast cancer tumors can usually be classified based on the tissue from which they arose. Malignant phyllodes tumors are a rare form of breast cancer.
Sarcoma
Phyllodes tumors, the Mayo Clinic explains, are tumors that arise in the soft connective tissue in the breast. Tumors that arise from connective tissue are known as sarcomas and are a relatively rare form of breast cancer.
Growth
Malignant phyllodes tumors are able to grow and spread very quickly, the National Cancer Institute explains. As a result, these tumors need to be biopsied and removed immediately. Often these types of tumors do not require a mastectomy, however.
Time Frame
Malignant phyllodes tumors typically affect women between the ages of 40 and 50, Breast Cancer Care notes. Most women who get these tumors have not yet gone through menopause. In general, multiple malignant phyllodes tumors do not occur, though they it is technically possible.
