title: Desmoid tumors of the upper extremity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the outcomes of surgical excision with or without adjuvant treatment in the management of desmoid tumors of the upper extremity.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed 52 patients with a histologically confirmed desmoid tumor in the upper extremity that was managed surgically. All patients presented between 1970 and 2011 and had a minimum 2-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 25 males and 27 females with an average age of 37 ± 17 years. The most common location was the shoulder (n = 27). The most common symptom was a painful mass (n = 30). Average tumor size was 189 ± 371 cm(3). Negative margins (wide or marginal resection) were achieved in 43 patients. The 5-year disease-free interval was 57%. Patients with recurrence were younger than those without (31 vs 43 y). Postoperative radiotherapy increased the time to recurrence (2.6 vs 1.6 y) but ultimate disease-free interval at 5 years was similar in patients who did and did not receive radiotherapy. Compared with the preoperative evaluation, there was a significant reduction in patients reporting moderate or severe pain postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Desmoid tumors are locally aggressive fibrous tumors. Recurrence after surgical excision of a desmoid tumor in the upper extremity is common, especially in younger patients. Adjuvant radiation therapy tended to increase time to recurrence but not rate of recurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic IV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Matthew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Houdek
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Peter S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Electronic address: kakar.sanjeev@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Sanjeev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kakar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D018222:Desmoid Tumors / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Desmoid tumors