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Desmoid tumors are noncancerous growths of connective tissue. Desmoid tumors are most commonly found in the belly, limbs, and legs.
Aggressive fibromatosis is another word for desmoid tumors.
Some desmoid tumors grow slowly and do not necessitate rapid treatment. Others develop rapidly and are treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or other medications.
Because desmoid tumors do not spread to other parts of the body, they are not considered malignancies. However, they can be quite aggressive, behaving more like tumors and spreading to surrounding tissues and organs. As a result, persons with desmoid tumors are frequently treated by cancer specialists.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DESMOID TUMORS?
The symptoms of desmoid tumors vary depending on where the tumors develop. Desmoid tumors are most commonly found in the belly, limbs, and legs. They can, however, form anywhere in the body.
Signs and symptoms in general include:
- A swelling or mass
- Pain
- Function loss in the affected area
- When desmoid tumors appear in the belly, they cause cramping and nausea.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DESMOID TUMORS?
It is unknown what produces desmoid tumors.
Doctors believe these tumors originate when a connective tissue cell's DNA changes. The DNA of a cell includes the instructions that inform the cell what to do. The alterations instruct the connective tissue cell to grow rapidly, resulting in a mass of cells (tumor) capable of invading and destroying healthy bodily tissue.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR DESMOID TUMORS?
The following factors may raise the risk of desmoid tumors:
- Young adulthood: Desmoid tumors are more common in young adults in their twenties and thirties. This tumor is uncommon in children and the elderly.
- A genetic condition that results in a high number of colon polyps: Desmoid tumors are more common in people who have familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). FAP is caused by a gene mutation that can be handed down from one generation to the next. It creates many polyps (growths) in the colon.
- Pregnancy: A desmoid tumor may form during or shortly after pregnancy in rare cases.
- Injury: Desmoid tumors occur in a limited number of patients who have recently experienced an injury or surgery.
HOW ARE DESMOID TUMORS DIAGNOSED?
The following tests and techniques are used to diagnose desmoid tumors:
- Physical exam: To better understand your signs and symptoms, your doctor will check your body.
- Imaging tests: Imaging tests, such as CT and MRI, may be recommended by your doctor to develop images of the area where your symptoms are occurring. The photos may provide your doctor with information about your diagnosis.
- Taking a tissue sample for testing (biopsy): Your doctor collects a sample of tumor tissue and sends it to a lab for testing in order to make a clear diagnosis. Depending on your specific situation, a needle or surgery can be used to harvest a sample from a desmoid tumor.
Pathologists (doctors trained in studying body tissues) analyse the sample in the lab to discover the sorts of cells involved and whether the cells are likely to be aggressive. This information aids in the direction of your treatment.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR DESMOID TUMORS?
Desmoid tumor treatments include:
- Monitoring the tumor's growth: Whether your desmoid tumor is not causing any symptoms, your doctor may advise you to keep an eye on it to see if it grows. Every few months, you may be subjected to imaging testing. Some tumors do not grow and so do not require therapy. Some cancers may decrease on their own without medical intervention.
- Surgery: If your desmoid tumor produces symptoms, your doctor may prescribe surgery to remove the entire tumor as well as a small margin of healthy tissue surrounding it. However, sometimes the tumor spreads to neighboring structures and cannot be entirely eliminated. Surgeons may remove as much of the tumor as possible in these circumstances.
- Radiation therapy: To kill tumor cells, radiation therapy employs high-powered beams such as X-rays and protons. If you are not in good enough health to have surgery or if the tumor is in an inaccessible location, radiation therapy may be recommended instead. If there is a chance that the tumor will return following surgery, radiation therapy may be utilized.
- Chemotherapy and other drugs: Chemotherapy employs the use of powerful medications to eliminate tumor cells. If your desmoid tumor is rapidly growing and surgery is not an option, your doctor may consider chemotherapy.
Several different medication treatments, such as anti-inflammatory medicines, hormone therapy, and targeted therapies, have showed potential in persons with desmoid tumors.
Coping and assistance
You'll discover what helps you manage with the uncertainty and distress of being diagnosed with a rare malignancy over time. Until then, you might find it useful to:
Learn enough about desmoid tumors to determine treatment decisions: Inquire with your doctor about your disease, including test results, treatment options, and, if desired, your prognosis. You may feel more confidence in making treatment decisions as you learn more about desmoid tumors.
Maintain contact with friends and family: Maintaining close ties will help you cope with your condition. Friends and family can help you with practical things like taking care of your home while you're in the hospital. They can also provide emotional support when you are feeling overwhelmed.
Find a conversation partner: Find a good listener who is open to hearing your hopes and anxieties. It could be a friend or family member. A counselor, medical social worker, clergy person, or support group's care and understanding may also be beneficial.