[Desmoid tumors and their mitotic system (morphological diagnosis and problems of prognosis)]

Results of histological studies of desmoid tumours of various localisation and determination of their mitotic regimen are presented. the mitotic regimen of nonrelapsing desmoids is characterized by an extremely low mitotic index (on the average 0.9 mitosis per 1000 cells), a normal ratio of phases of mitosis and by the presence of only individual pathological mitoses. In the group of relapsing desmoids the mitotic index on the average is 2.4%; the analysis of the percentage ratio of mitosis phases reveals predominance of metaphases, the frequency of pathological mitoses being increased. These changes apparently reflect the trend of these tumours towards the unlimited growth, which is confirmed by their clinical course.