Clinical Analysis of Desmoid Tumor

ABSTRACT

Desmoid tumor is a infrequent, but particular type of fibromatosis (dysplastic lesion of connective tissue), usually originating in the fascial sheath or musculoaponeurotic tissue of the body. It is characterized by its propensity for slow, incessant growth and by its nonmetastastic but locally aggressive behavior. While rarely associated with this tumor, morbidity and mortality occur when there is encroachment on vital structures. Because of the scarcity of data, the relatively small number of patients and the pathological resembrance to low-grade fibrosarcoma, desmoid tumor may be easily misdiagnosed and wrong conclusions regarding its biological behavior may be drawn. Also, the optimal treatment for this tumor remains controversial. At present, the most successful method of control of desmoid tumor is complete excision with a clear margin of normal tissue surrounding the tumor. To better delineate the natural history and the result of managing patients with this disease, we have reviewed all patients with desmoid tumor treated at our hostital from 1985 to 1996, and the following results were obtained The male-to-female ratio was 1 2.7, and a childbearing-aged female preponderance was present like most reports. Seven of 22 patients(32 %) developed local recurrence. The recurrence of desmoid tumor was not related to patient's sex/age, location/size of the tumor, and previous operative history. Even though desmoid tumor is not pathologically malignant, it should be regarded as clinical malignancy and be treated by wide excision with pathologically-proven safe resectional margin.