title: Palliative Resection of a Giant Mesenteric Desmoid Tumor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Desmoid tumors are relatively uncommon tumors, and those occurring sporadically and in an intraabdominal location are especially rare. Although desmoid tumors have a benign histologic appearance and lack the ability to metastasize, they can invade locally, often aggressively, grow to large sizes, and recur repeatedly.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present the case of a symptomatic, giant mesenteric desmoid tumor discovered incidentally during workup for the patient's previous history of lung cancer. The patient elected to undergo palliative resection of the tumor because of persistent and unrelenting abdominal pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of the rarity of the disease, no clear evidence-based guidelines exist for the treatment of sporadic mesenteric desmoid tumors. Review of the available literature suggests that surgical resection with negative margins is a reasonable approach for patients with symptomatic tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Jeremy J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sugrue
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Advocate Cancer Institute, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, IL.
authors.forename: Stephanie B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, IL.
authors.forename: Roland M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Advocate Cancer Institute, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, IL.
authors.forename: Adam I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Riker
keywords: Adenomatous polyposis coli; fibromatosis–abdominal; mesentery; neoplasms–fibrous tissue