[Desmoid tumor sensitive to tamoxifen].
BACKGROUND
Desmoid tumors are the second leading cause of mortality in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis who have undergone proctocolemy. Both medical and surgical treatment of these non-metastasizing but locally aggressive tumors are difficult.


METHODS
A 20-years-old woman consulted 6 years after coloproctectomy for familial adenomatous polyposis. A mesenteric desmoid tumor was found. Resection was not possible. The tumor progressed under sulindac treatment and subocclusion developed. The patient was given tamoxifen, 20 mg/d and the size of the tumor began to regress within a few days together with pain and signs of compression. The treatment was well tolerated for 4.5 years and tumor volume has remained unchanged after a 20-fold reduction compared with the size prior to treatment. The patient has remained symptom-free.


CONCLUSIONS
In this critical clinical situation, tamoxifen provided rapid and prolonged effect and was well tolerated.
Maroy
B
B
Maison Médicale de Lunesse, Isle d'Espagnac.
D000293:Adolescent; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D018222:Desmoid Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008643:Mesentery; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013629:Tamoxifen