ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION:

Desmoid tumors are very rare tumors that arise from the musculoaponeurotic tissues. Although they are benign, they also have local aggressive characteristics. Therefore, their local recurrence rates are rather high. We hereby present the results of 20 patients operated at our clinic with desmoid tumor diagnoses.

METHODS:

The data of 20 patients operated at our clinic because of desmoids tumors between 2005 and 2011 were retrospectively evaluated within the scope of the study.

RESULTS:

The mean age of the patients was 46 (36-62) and while sixteen of them were female, four were male. The most frequent presenting complaint was a palpable mass on the abdominal wall with 15 patients. Tru-cut biopsy was the most frequently used method in the pre-op histopathological diagnosis. All the patients received wide mass excision in terms of surgical intervention. Two patients developed scar site infection during the early phase. One patient had mortality. Four patients had local recurrence and two had incisional hernia during the long-term follow-ups.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:

They progress asymptomatically for a long time in most patients since they frequently grow slowly. They should be kept in mind in the pre-diagnosis for patients presenting with complaints of a palpable mass on the abdominal wall and pain. Cure can be achieved by the wide local excision of the tumor protecting surgical boundaries. However, post-op long-term follow-ups should definitely be maintained because of the high risk of recurrence.