Desmoid Tumors

Desmoid tumors are non-cancerous growths that develop in the body's connective tissues. This tissue connects and supports different parts of the body, like muscles, bones, and skin. These growths are most commonly found in the belly area (abdomen), arms, and legs. They are sometimes called aggressive fibromatoses.

Some desmoid tumors grow very slowly and might not need immediate treatment. However, others grow quickly and aggressively. When this happens, treatment options may include surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy to shrink it, chemotherapy medications, or other targeted drugs.

While desmoid tumors aren't considered cancers because they don't spread to other parts of the body like typical cancers, they can still be very aggressive. They can grow into surrounding tissues and organs. This aggressive nature can impact nearby structures, making it important for people with these tumors to be monitored closely by doctors, often cancer specialists. This is because their growth can cause significant issues even though the tumors themselves aren't spreading to other parts of the body.

Desmoid tumors can grow in various parts of the body, most commonly the abdomen, arms, and legs, but they can appear anywhere. The symptoms of these tumors can vary depending on their location. Generally, people might notice:

• A lump or swelling: This is a noticeable bump or area of thickening.
• Pain: The tumor may cause discomfort or soreness in the affected area.
• Trouble using the affected area: The tumor can make it harder to move the arm, leg, or other body part.
• Stomach problems: If the tumor is in the abdomen, it could cause cramping, nausea, or other digestive issues.

If you have any of these symptoms that don't go away, it's important to see a doctor. It's crucial to get medical attention for any persistent, concerning symptoms.

If you're noticing any health issues that keep happening and are making you concerned, schedule a visit with your doctor.

Desmoid tumors are a type of growth that's not fully understood. Doctors know these tumors happen when cells in the connective tissue of the body have a problem with their DNA. DNA is like a set of instructions for a cell, telling it what to do. When the instructions are changed, it can cause the connective tissue cell to rapidly reproduce. This rapid reproduction forms a lump of cells, or tumor, that can spread and damage surrounding healthy tissue.

Desmoid tumors are growths that can develop in different parts of the body. Several factors might make a person more likely to get one.

Age: Desmoid tumors are most common in young adults, typically those in their 20s and 30s. They are much less common in children and older adults.

Family history: People with a condition called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have a higher risk. FAP is a genetic condition, meaning it's passed down through families. FAP causes many small growths, called polyps, to form in the colon. This is because a specific gene has a change (mutation) that causes the body to make too many polyps. Having a family history of FAP, or knowing you have the genetic mutation, is a significant risk factor for desmoid tumors.

Pregnancy: In some rare cases, a desmoid tumor may start or worsen during or shortly after pregnancy. The exact reasons for this are not fully understood, but hormonal changes during pregnancy might play a role.

Injury or Surgery: Occasionally, a desmoid tumor will develop in someone who has recently had an injury or surgery. This is less common than the other risk factors. It's possible that the injury or surgery might have provided a starting point for the tumor to form.

Diagnosing desmoid tumors involves several steps to confirm the condition and understand the tumor's characteristics.

Physical Examination: Your doctor will first examine you to check for any signs and symptoms, like pain or swelling. This helps them understand where the problem might be.

Imaging Tests: To see the area affected, your doctor might order imaging scans like CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). These scans create detailed pictures. The images help pinpoint the location and size of the tumor, giving doctors clues about what's happening.

Tissue Sample (Biopsy): To know for sure what the tumor is, your doctor will take a small piece of the tumor tissue. This is called a biopsy. The method used to collect the tissue sample depends on where the tumor is and its size. Sometimes a needle can be used to collect the sample. In other cases, a surgical procedure might be necessary.

Lab Analysis (Pathology): The tissue sample is sent to a lab where doctors called pathologists look closely at the cells. They identify the type of cells in the tumor and assess whether the cells might grow quickly or aggressively. This information is very important for deciding on the best treatment plan.