[Diagnosis and therapy of aggressive fibromatosis (extra-abdominal desmoid) in the head and neck area].

Desmoid tumours (extraabdominal desmoids, aggressive fibromatosis) are rare connective tissue tumours, that grow infiltratively and destructively. The analysis of the course of disease in three patients suffering from desmoid tumours in the head and neck region (regio submandibularis, regio parotidea, parapharyngeal space) confirmed the data in literature that painless swelling and dysfunction are the first non-specific signs of the disease. Morphologically reactive fibromatosis and fibrosarcoma should be considered (amongst others) in differential diagnosis. CT and MR scans are useful in determining the extent of the tumours and help to distinguish the tumour from nerves, vessels and bone. Surgery is the therapy of choice in the head and neck region. Primary surgery was performed in our patients. Due to recurrences two of our patients have been operated on several times including major plastic reconstructive surgery. One patient died three and a half years after primary treatment due to sarcomatous degeneration. A large parapharyngeal recurrence was successfully reduced by percutaneous radiation therapy in our second patient. Follow-up of our third patient was NAD 15 months after resection of a large parapharyngeal/mediastinal process including blocking of two cervical vertebrae. Summing up, desmoid tumours are rare connective tissue tumours in the head and neck region with a destructive biological behaviour similar to malignant tumours and a high recurrence rate. Surgery is the treatment of choice. In recurrences or if the tumour is not properly resectable, radiation must be considered, whereas the chemotherapeutical approach is not yet well established.