title: Desmoid tumors of the head and neck: a therapeutic challenge.
abstract: Desmoid tumor, or aggressive fibromatosis, is a rare, histologically benign, fibroblastic lesion that infrequently presents in the head and neck. Desmoid tumors often grow locally, invasively, and may, in rare instances, be fatal secondary to invasion into critical structures, such as airway or major vessels. The most common treatment is surgery, but desmoid tumors are characteristically associated with a high local recurrence rate after resection. Although the margin status seems to be of importance, operations that avoid function loss and esthetic disfigurement should be the primary goal. The efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy is controversial. Its potential benefit should be carefully balanced against possible radiation-induced adverse effects. Alternative treatment modalities, such as primary radiotherapy and medical treatment or a wait-and-see policy, may be preferable to mutilating surgery. Considering all the aforementioned, it seems obvious that desmoid tumors of the head and neck present a therapeutic challenge and require an individualized approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, Medical School of Crete University Hospital, Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Eelco
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Bree
authors.forename: Odysseas
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zoras
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Takes
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Suárez
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Mendenhall
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hinni
authors.forename: Juan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rodrigo
authors.forename: Ashok R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Shaha
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rinaldo
authors.forename: Alfio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferlito
authors.forename: Remco
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Bree
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018222:Desmoid Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D057832:Watchful Waiting
keywords: aggressive fibromatosis; desmoid; desmoid tumor; head and neck