Scientists are always working to understand how tumors form but it can be hard to prove. Those diagnosed with Gardner syndrome, a rare syndrome that also runs in families, have a high risk of colorectal cancer and desmoid tumor. In 5% to 10% of cases, desmoid tumors may run in families. It is important to discuss these different options with your doctor and seek second opinions, if possible. Given that radiation therapy can cause other cancers in the future, it is important to discuss alternatives with your doctor.Ĭhemotherapy: There is no standard chemotherapy for desmoid tumors but promising new drugs have been shown to shrink these tumors. Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy is a treatment option for some desmoid tumors. Given that the tumor often returns to the same location after surgery, doctors are looking for other treatment options. Surgery: Surgery has been a standard treatment for desmoid tumors in the past but this may be changing. It may be safest for your doctor to check your tumor regularly without treating it. Watch and wait: In some cases, the tumor grows very slowly, or even shrinks without any treatment. Treatment options to discuss with your doctor include: They can shrink and go away on their own, they can remain the same size, or they can grow quickly. You can contact MyPART for help finding experts near you.ĭesmoid tumors can be hard to predict. Treatment for each patient will be unique so you should go to an expert in sarcoma treatment to decide the best approach for your tumor. Depending on the tumor's location, it may be difficult for the doctor to take a biopsy. A pathologist will study the cells under the microscope to see what kind of tumor it is. Imaging: If you have symptoms of a desmoid tumor, your doctor may use imaging scans such as CT, MRI, or ultrasound to see where the tumor is and its size.īiopsy: To check if the tumor is a desmoid tumor your doctor will do a biopsy, taking a small amount of the tumor out with a needle. For people without symptoms, these tumors can be discovered if the person has an imaging test for another reason. Symptoms can include pain, swelling in the area of the tumor, sleep loss, or difficulty moving. Some people with desmoid tumors have symptoms, while others do not. How common is desmoid tumor?įor every one million people worldwide, two to four are diagnosed with a desmoid tumor per year. They are more common in females than males. Desmoid tumors can be difficult to completely remove with surgery.ĭesmoid tumors are most common in people between the ages of 15 and 60 years. The quicker they grow the more serious they are. Desmoid tumors can grow slowly or very quickly. While the cells of the desmoid tumor do not travel to parts the body like cancer can, they can invade nearby tissue and are often very painful. Desmoid tumors are often found in the abdomen, as well as the shoulders, upper arms, and thighs.ĭesmoid tumors are benign, which means they are not cancer. Desmoid tumors are also known as aggressive fibromatosis or desmoid-type fibromatosis.Ī desmoid tumor can occur anywhere in the body since connective tissue is found everywhere in your body. Connective tissue supports and connects your bones, ligaments, and muscles, and helps hold your organs in place. They grow from fibroblast cells, which make up connective tissue and are also important for wound healing. You can help speed up the development of new treatments by giving researchers the tools they need.ĭesmoid tumors grow from the connective tissue in your body.
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