Final answer:
The primary treatment for a phyllodes tumor is surgery, which may include wide local excision or mastectomy. Adjuvant treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy could be considered depending on the tumor grade and presence of metastases, while hormone therapy is not typically effective.
Step-by-step explanation:
How to Treat a Phyllodes Tumor
Treatment of phyllodes tumors primarily involves surgery. This is because phyllodes tumors are a type of breast tumor that may be benign or malignant and are most effectively managed by surgical removal. In most cases, the goal of surgery is to remove the entire tumor along with a rim of normal tissue. This is known as a wide local excision or lumpectomy. In cases where the tumor is particularly large or recurrent, a mastectomy, the removal of the entire breast, may be necessary.
Other treatment modalities like radiation therapy may be considered adjuncts to surgery, especially in malignant cases where there's a concern for residual disease or recurrence. Chemotherapy might be offered in cases where the tumor is high grade or when there are metastases. However, hormone therapy is typically not effective because most phyllodes tumors are not responsive to hormonal manipulation.
To summarize, the mainstay of phyllodes tumor treatment is surgery. Other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be added based on the individual characteristics of the tumor and patient.