Radiotherapy to pulmonary metastases of a malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast

A bulky right breast tumor (15 x 15cm) was discovered in a 54-year-old woman, and a simple mastectomy was performed, followed by 50 Gy of postoperative radiotherapy. Histologically, the tumor was malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast. Nine months after the mastectomy, multiple pulmonary metastases were detected and three lesions were treated with radiotherapy of 60Gy/30 fractions for 43-54 days. Two lesions (16 x 12mm and 18 x 16mm) showed a partial response and no progression 2-4 months after the radiotherapy. The other lesion (22 x 18mm) showed a partial response but progressed again 3 months later. She died of respiratory failure 18 months after the mastectomy. She also had muscle metastasis, but there were no locoregional recurrences. The malignant phyllodes tumor in this patient showed a partial response to radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is considered useful for local control or symptomatic treatment of malignant phyllodes tumor.