Percutaneous cryoablation for advanced and refractory extra-abdominal desmoid tumors

To assess efficacy and safety of percutaneous cryoablation (CA) for advanced and refractory extra-abdominal desmoid tumors.

This retrospective study reviewed 30 consecutive patients with symptomatic desmoid tumors evolving after "wait and watch" periods, and despite medical treatment, treated by CA between 2007 and 2019. Progression free survival (PFS), objective response rate, pain reduction (decreased of visual analogic scale pain (VAS)[Formula: see text] 3 or disappearance of pain), total volume lesion (TVL) and complications were documented. Kaplan Meier method was used to outline PFS. Paired sample t test was used to compare volume of tumors before treatment and at 1 and 3 year.

With a median follow-up of 18.5 months (range 6-93 months, interquartile range (IQR): 12-55), the PFS was 85.1% at 1 year and 77.3% at 3 years. Objective response was obtained for 80% of patients with a complete response for 43% patients. Pain reduction was obtained for 96.7% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 90.3, 100) of patients. Median volume of desmoid tumor before treatment was 124.1cm³ (range 2-1727cm³, IQR: 54-338cm³). Median change of TLV after ablation was 66.6% (95% CI: 37.2, 72.3; p = 0.002) at 1 year and 76.4% (95% CI: 59.1, 89.8; p = 0.002) at 3 year. Adverse events rate was 36.6%, the most common was edema and temporary increase of pain in the days following CA. Four patients experienced a major complication (13.3%): 2 skin necrosis, 1 infection and 1 brachial plexopathy.

CA is an effective treatment for advanced and refractory extra-abdominal desmoid tumor, that induces durable responses.