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Musculoskeletal desmoid tumors.
Harish S Hosalkar1, Jesse T Torbert, Edward J Fox
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsyvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Summary
Desmoid tumors are benign but locally aggressive soft-tissue growths. Low-dose chemotherapy is a recommended initial treatment to avoid morbidity from local therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Desmoid tumors are benign neoplasms characterized by local aggressiveness and varied growth patterns.
- Accurate assessment of soft-tissue lesions and surrounding structure involvement is crucial.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred diagnostic modality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the characteristics and management of desmoid tumors.
- To highlight the role of imaging and multidisciplinary care.
- To evaluate treatment strategies, including the utility of low-dose chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on desmoid tumor diagnosis and treatment.
- Emphasis on the role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for lesion assessment.
- Discussion of various therapeutic modalities: surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and radiation therapy.
Main Results:
- Desmoid tumors present with local aggressiveness and diverse growth patterns.
- MRI is the gold standard for evaluating soft-tissue lesions and adjacent structure involvement.
- Multidisciplinary care is essential for optimal management of these benign tumors.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose chemotherapy is an effective first-line treatment, particularly when local interventions risk significant morbidity.
- A combination of treatment strategies, guided by multidisciplinary input, is often necessary.
- Despite their benign nature, desmoid tumors require careful management due to their potential for local aggression.
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