EXTRA-ABDOMINAL DESMOID TUMORS - REPORT OF 3 CASES AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Extra-abdominal desmoid tumour (syn. aggressive fibromatosis, extra-ab dominal fibromatosis, musculo-aponeurotic fibromatosis) is a rare cond ition which can present in a variety of ways. Three patients were trea ted in the Plastic Surgery Unit in Edinburgh in the ten year period 19 82-1992. This rare disease can be difficult to treat, and this is illu strated by one of our cases. We conclude that radical surgery, when po ssible, forms the basis of treatment, but we acknowledge that a propor tion of patients will suffer repeated recurrences despite this. Other nonsurgical therapies are also discussed.