[Desmoid fibroma of the limbs (author's transl)].

The authors have treated nineteen cases of desmoid fibroma of the limbs of which two were intraosseous. The severity of the lesion was greater when sited proximally in the limbs. In many patients, the tumours grew slowly and gave little incapacity. A large number of recurrences were found after surgical excision. The treatment, however, must be based on surgical excision which should be as extensive as possible. Radiotherapy should only be used after the tumour has recurred several times. In view of reports of spontaneous healing, hormone therapy was tried but no conclusions could be drawn from these trials.