Ki-67 expression and residual tumour (R) classification are associated with disease-free survival in desmoid tumour patients.
BACKGROUND
In order to evaluate prognostic factors in the long-term survival of desmoid tumour patients, analysis of clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and follow-up data was performed.


METHODS
Between 1969 and 1998, 54 patients underwent resection of aggressive fibromatosis (desmoid) and 33 of them (10 patients with FAP and 23 sporadic) were followed-up with a median time of 130 months (range 10-355 months). Additionally, immunohistochemical analysis of the desmoid tumours using Ki-67 was performed.


RESULTS
In univariate analysis, curative resection (R0) (p<0.001) and low proliferation of Ki-67 (p=0.002) were of significant positive prognostic value concerning disease-free survivaL R0 and absence of Ki-67 staining were significantly associated with each other (p=0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
Ki-67 seems to serve as a predictive marker concerning disease-free survival of desmoid tumour patients. In patients presenting with Ki-67 positive desmoids, which are unlikely to be resected in a curative manner, alternative treatment (e.g. sulindac) may be preferable.
Brueckl
W M
WM
Department of Internal Medicine I, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
Preuss
J M
JM
Wein
A
A
Jung
A
A
Brabletz
T
T
Pflüger
R
R
Wiest
G H
GH
Wolfl
C
C
Kirchner
T
T
Hahn
E G
EG
Hohenberger
W
W
Günther
K
K
D011125:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D018222:Desmoid Tumors / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen