Desmoid tumors: experience of 32 cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Background: Desmoids are infiltrative, locally destructive, soft tissue tumors. Although they do not metastasize, the incidence of local recurrence is quite high.

Aim: Present study aimed at reporting the 10-year experience of 32 desmoid cases and reviewing some facts with symptoms, investigation, and treatment of the disease.

Materials and methods: Thirty two cases of desmoid tumors were reviewed over a 10-year span. Surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy were the treatments of choice whenever histological margins were positive.

Results: Multiparous women in reproductive age were the most commonly afflicted. The commonest site of presentation was the abdominal wall. Ninety one percent (20/22) were infraumbilical. The tumors were found in the rectus sheath in 14 patients (64%) and were laterally situated in 8 patients (36%). Local infiltration was found in six patients and the urinary bladder was most commonly involved (3/6). Locally recurrent desmoids were seen in eight patients (25%).

Conclusions: In our experience, 25% of the desmoid tumors (8/32) were recurrent and postoperative radiotherapy did not seem to influence the local recurrence rate. The most important predictor for recurrence was tumors of > 5 cm.