Desmoid tumors--treatment and prognosis.

Desmoid tumors are locally invasive benign tumors arising from musculoaponeurotic structures which are classified as fibromatoses and which have generally high post-surgical recurrence rates. Sixteen patients with desmoid tumors were treated with irradiation and evaluated for 2 to 6 years post-treatment. Of the 16, 13 cases have been controlled without recurrence. Virtually complete resolution of the tumor mass has been accomplished without the disfigurement and dysfunction characteristic of the radical surgical approach to treatment.