Desmoid tumors of the trunk and extremity.

BACKGROUND

Twenty-six patients with desmoid tumors of the extremities (n = 20) or trunk (n = 6) have been treated since 1977. Nine of these were referred with primary tumors and 17 with recurrent tumors.

METHODS

The tumor was removed in all patients, and 10 received adjuvant radiation. Five patients (19%) developed local recurrence; one of them was lost to follow-up, and the remaining four patients had the recurrence controlled with surgical resection or resection plus adjuvant radiation.

RESULTS

All 25 patients who have been followed are alive and disease-free at a mean follow-up of 84 months (median, 81 months). None with extremity tumors (n = 20) required an amputation. The estimated survival rate for the entire group is 95% at 42 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Desmoid tumor of the trunk or extremities treated with surgical resection, supplemented selectively by adjuvant radiation, can be controlled locally in the majority (96%) of patients.