The role of radiation therapy in the management of desmoid tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of radiation therapy (RT) in the management of desmoid tumors.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis was performed on 28 patients with desmoid tumors treated with radiation therapy between March 1989 and March 1999. Tumor site was intraabdominal in three, abdominal wall in three and extraabdominal in 22 patients. Median tumor dose was 48 Gy (range 36-60 Gy). Radiation therapy was delivered postoperatively in 26 of 28 patients, two patients received radiation therapy for unresectable recurrent tumors.


RESULTS
Median follow-up was 46 months (range 13-108 months). Actuarial 5-year control rate was 73%. We observed six recurrences, located within the radiation field in one patient, out of field in two and at the field margin in three patients. All patients with intraabdominal tumors have been controlled without severe side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiation therapy is an effective treatment after incomplete resection of desmoid tumors. We did not observe a benefit for tumor doses exceeding 50 Gy. In some patients with circumscribed intraabdominal desmoid tumors, radiation therapy might be a treatment option with low toxicity, if 3-D treatment planning is utilized.
Schulz-Ertner
Daniela
D
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Heidelberg, Germany. d.ertner@dkfz-heidelberg.de
Zierhut
Dietmar
D
Mende
Ulrich
U
Harms
Wolfgang
W
Branitzki
Pierre
P
Wannenmacher
Michael
M
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D018222:Desmoid Tumors / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D015996:Survival Rate