title: Desmoid tumors of the head and neck.
abstract: Desmoid tumors of the head and neck are uncommon and associated with a posttreatment recurrence rate as high as 70 percent. This study was undertaken to determine cure rates achievable by surgery and radiotherapy and the factors influencing failure. A chart review of all patients at our institution with desmoid tumors of the head and neck from 1919 to 1982 was undertaken, and pertinent data were tabulated. Forty-eight patients were found with this problem. Average duration of symptoms was 1.6 years, and tumor size ranged from 1 to 12 cm (mean 5.1 cm). Average follow-up was 5.8 years. The most common site of occurrence was the neck (34 patients). Thirty-two patients underwent complete excision with 8 recurrences; 4 were reexcised with no further recurrence at last follow-up. Fourteen patients had incomplete excision with 12 recurrences. Radiotherapy was employed as the primary therapy in two patients; both experienced recurrence. Complete excision is the only effective treatment for desmoid tumors of the head and neck, resulting in a disease-free state in 75 percent of the patients (87 percent after reexcision). Involvement of the brachial plexus was the chief factor precluding complete excision. Radiotherapy was of very little value.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fasching
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saleh
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Woods
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005350:Fibroma / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies