What is a desmoid in abdominal wall?
Desmoid tumors are benign myofibroblastic neoplasms originating from the muscle aponeurosis and classified as deep fibromatoses [1]. They constitute 3% of all soft tissue tumors and 0.03% of all neoplasms [2]. Despite their aggressive local infiltration, desmoid tumors lack a metastatic potential [3].
What are the prognosis of patients with desmoid tumors?
Because desmoid tumors are so rare, it is hard to determine accurate survival rates, but 1 report found that more than 98% of patients were alive 5 years after their diagnosis.
Where is desmoid tumor located?
A desmoid tumor can occur anywhere in the body since connective tissue is found everywhere in your body. Desmoid tumors are often found in the abdomen, as well as the shoulders, upper arms, and thighs. Desmoid tumors are benign, which means they are not cancer.
Is there a cure for desmoid tumors?
Complete surgical excision of desmoid tumors is the most effective method of cure. This sometimes necessitates removal of most of an anterior compartment of a leg. Extensive cases may require excision plus adjuvant treatment including chemotherapy and repeat surgery.
Is a desmoid tumor a sarcoma?
Desmoid tumors develop in the tissues that form tendons and ligaments, usually in the arms, legs or abdomen and sometimes in the chest. These tumors, also called aggressive fibromatosis, are a type of soft tissue sarcoma and are considered benign because they typically don’t spread to other parts of the body.
Can a desmoid tumor be fatal?
Desmoid tumors are usually considered benign (not cancer) because they rarely spread to different parts of your body. But ones that grow fast (aggressive tumors) can be like cancer in some ways. They can grow into nearby tissues and can be fatal. These tumors can grow almost anywhere in your body and at any age.
How rare is a desmoid tumor?
Desmoid tumors constitute 0.03% of all tumors. The estimated incidence in the general population is 2-4 per million people per year. Desmoid tumors are observed to be more common in persons aged 10-40 years but can occur in other age groups. Desmoid tumors can commonly occur in women after childbirth.
How fast do desmoid tumors grow?
[11] reported that sporadic postoperative intra-abdominal desmoid tumors can develop 11 months to 7 years after abdominal surgery. In our patient, the desmoid tumor was detected 6 months postoperatively and the new masses were detected 9 months postoperatively.
What doctor treats desmoid tumors?
Surgical oncologists and orthopedic oncologists are doctors who specialize in treating desmoid tumors and other sarcomas using surgery.
How do you get rid of a desmoid tumor?
Surgery is a standard treatment for a desmoid tumor, but it is only an option if a surgeon can remove the tumor without damaging the surrounding organs. The surgeon will also remove a margin of the tissue surrounding the tumor. Desmoid tumors often invade surrounding structures, including blood vessels and organs.
What are the signs and symptoms of desmoid tumors?
In general, signs and symptoms include: 1 A mass or area of swelling 2 Pain 3 Loss of function in the affected area 4 Cramping and nausea, when desmoid tumors occur in the abdomen
Can a desmoid tumor be removed by surgery?
Desmoid tumors that grow can extend to involve nearby tissues and organs, causing signs, symptoms and complications. Treatment may involve surgery to remove the desmoid tumor, when possible. Sometimes the tumor can’t be removed without damaging nearby structures.
What causes a desmoid tumor in the colon?
A genetic syndrome that causes many colon polyps. People with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have an increased risk of desmoid tumors. FAP is caused by a gene mutation that can be passed down from parents to children. It causes numerous growths (polyps) in the colon. Pregnancy.
How are desmoid tumors related to fibromatosis?
Overview. Another term for desmoid tumors is aggressive fibromatosis. Desmoid tumors that grow can extend to involve nearby tissues and organs, causing signs, symptoms and complications. Treatment may involve surgery to remove the desmoid tumor, when possible. Sometimes the tumor can’t be removed without damaging nearby structures.