Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026
Gene Regulation and Targeted Therapy in Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis: Radiological Findings from Dual Energy CT and PET/CT
Published on: January 22, 2018
Clinical and imaging observations of desmoid tumors left without treatment
B P Mikael Dalén1, Mats Geijer, Henry Kvist
1Department of Orthopaedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. mikael.dalen@vgregion.se
Background:
Until now, surgical treatment has been the mainstay in the treatment of desmoid tumors, even though it is associated with a high recurrence rate. There have, however, been occasional case reports showing that desmoid tumors may spontaneously decrease in size or even disappear.
Patients And Methods:
This is a retrospective review of 8 patients with abdominal (5) or extra-abdominal (3) desmoid tumors who were followed both clinically and with imaging techniques (sonography, CT or MRI). Mean follow-up time was 4.4 (0.8-7.5) years. Tumor volume was assessed in each investigation and followed over time.
Results:
3 tumors disappeared, 2 diminished in size, 1 did not change and 2 tumors became larger, 1 of which had tripled in volume at the latest follow-up.
Interpretation:
Desmoid tumors have probably been overtreated in the past. Many of them tend to regress spontaneously.
