Regression of sporadic intra-abdominal desmoid tumour following administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Desmoid tumours or fibromatoses are rare entities characterized by the benign proliferation of fibroblasts, which can be life-threatening due to their locally aggressive properties. Surgery is widely accepted as the first line of tre...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fujiwara Yoshinori, Gega Makoto, Yanagi Hidenori, Yoshikawa Reigetsu, Tanaka Keita, Hashimoto-Tamaoki Tomoko, Hirota Syozo, Tsujimura Tohru, Tomita Naohiro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2008-02-01
Series:World Journal of Surgical Oncology
Online Access:http://www.wjso.com/content/6/1/17
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Summary:<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Desmoid tumours or fibromatoses are rare entities characterized by the benign proliferation of fibroblasts, which can be life-threatening due to their locally aggressive properties. Surgery is widely accepted as the first line of treatment for extra-abdominal desmoids; however, it is not recommended for intra-abdominal desmoids because of the high-risk of recurrence and difficulties with the operation. Here, we report on a patient with sporadic intra-abdominal desmoid tumours, who showed partial response following the intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 73-year-old man presented with swelling and pain of the right leg. Computed tomography showed an abnormal multilocular soft-tissue mass (95 × 70 mm) in the right pelvis, which was revealed by biopsy to be a desmoid tumour. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the tumour cells expressed vimentin, but not smooth-muscle actin, CD34, or desmin. Very few Ki-67-positive cells were found. Non-cytotoxic treatment with etodolac (200 mg/day) was chosen because of the patient's age, lack of bowel obstruction, and the likelihood of prostate cancer. Two years after the commencement of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration, computed tomography showed a decrease in tumour size (63 × 49 mm), and the disappearance of intratumoural septa.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our case report suggests that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug treatment should be taken into consideration for use as first-line treatment in patients with sporadic intra-abdominal desmoid tumours.</p>
ISSN:1477-7819