Desmoid tumors

Desmoid tumors, a rare type of soft tissue neoplasm (new abnormal growth or tumor), usually develop in the arms, legs, abdomen or chest of children and adults. 

Sometimes they are called aggressive fibromatosis. Although they typically don't spread to other parts of the body, they can quickly invade nearby tissues and organs. 

Desmoid tumors sometimes occur in people who have a family history of colon cancer, particularly those with familial adenomatous polyposis.

Desmoid tumors are benign myofibroblastic neoplasms originating from the muscle aponeurosis and classified as deep fibromatoses. They constitute 3% of all soft tissue tumors and 0.03% of all neoplasms . Despite their aggressive local infiltration, desmoid tumors lack a metastatic potential . However, because of this local infiltration and compression of surrounding structures, a high recurrence rate exists and in anatomic locations with restricted access to surgical resection desmoid tumors can lead to death . Especially in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) undergoing colectomy desmoid tumors are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality