Desmoid tumours of the extremities

The authors report seven cases of desmoid tumors of the extremities. A tumour less than a few centimetres in size is best removed by wide local excision. Large growths should also be excised, but efforts should be made to preserve the vessels and nerves, since malignant transformation and metastases do not occur. Irradiation therapy should be considered for tumours which are surgically inaccessible. The problems of differential diagnosis between a desmoid tumour and a fibrosarcoma are discussed.