title: Desmoid tumor: current multidisciplinary approaches.
abstract: Desmoid tumor, also known as aggressive or deep fibromatosis or musculoaponeurotic fibromatosis, is a rare tumor. Desmoids are characterized by their ability to locally infiltrate; while frequently locally recurrent, they lack metastatic potential. Desmoids typically arise within the abdomen or abdominal wall, but can be extra-abdominal, most commonly in the proximal extremities. The infiltrative and recurrent nature of desmoid tumors can render surgical resection challenging if acceptable function and cosmesis is to be maintained. Consequently, desmoid management frequently involves a multidisciplinary approach that combines the expertise of several surgical specialists, for example, surgical oncologists and plastic surgeons, and also medical and radiation oncologists. As will be reviewed in this article, working together before undertaking any definitive therapies, such expert teams may be optimally positioned to offer patients superior functional and aesthetic outcomes based on maximizing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing treatment-related morbidities.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA. rnberri@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Richard N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Berri
authors.forename: Donald P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Madewell
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lazar
authors.forename: Raphael E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Pollock
mesh_terms: D018222:Desmoid Tumors / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team