Toward a new strategy in desmoid of the breast?

To report initial results of observation as well as surgery in patients with desmoid tumors (DTs) of the breast, a rare tumor for which data are scarce.

The initial approaches were categorized as either front-line loco-regional treatment [(surgery or radiotherapy group, SRG) n = 20] or initial observation [(no surgery/no radiotherapy group, NSRG) n = 11].

A total of 27 women and 4 men were assessed between 1992 and 2013 and included in this study. Patient characteristics were adequately balanced in the 2 groups. Fifteen patients (48.4%) had a past history of breast surgery in the previous 24 months. The median initial DT size on MRI was 50 mm. The median follow-up was 36 months. In the SRG, 8/20 patients (40%) experienced recurrence. The median time to recurrence was 29 months. During the study period, 6 patients in the SRG (30%) received a mastectomy at the time of diagnosis (n = 3) or at relapse (n = 3), 7 patients (35%) received a thoracic wall resection and 8 patients (40%) received radiotherapy at the time of diagnosis (n = 2) or at recurrence (n = 5). In the NSRG, the median tumor size change was -4 mm (range -13 to +20). Three patients changed treatment strategies during the observation period; one received surgery, and 2 were administered anti-hormonal treatment.

Loco-regional treatments of breast DTs resulted in undesired disfigurement. Front-line observation yielded encouraging results and could enable the identification of patients who require loco-regional treatment. This strategy needs further evaluation.