Thursday 5 March 2020

DESMOID TUMOUR


Desmoid tumor also called aggressive fibromatosis due to its similarities with fibrosarcoma which is a malignant tumour i.e. cancerous in nature. However, the desmoid tumour is benign which means it is not cancerous as it does not metastasize or spread to other organs or parts of the body. Desmoid tumours occur in the connective tissues of the body. They are the tumours of the fibroblast cells, which form connective tissues and are important for wound healing. Connective tissue supports and connects the bones, ligaments, and muscles of the body, and helps to hold the organs in place. The connective tissue is present everywhere in the body and hence the desmoid tumour can occur anywhere in the body. Desmoid tumour is more commonly found in females as compared to males.

Desmoid tumour (fibromatosis) usually occurs in the women during childbearing age. Desmoid tumour usually arises from the musculoaponeurotic structures of the abdominal wall below the umbilicus. Sometimes, it originates in an old surgical scar of the abdomen.

Risk factors of the desmoid tumour include:

     Abdominal wall haematoma and muscular trauma due to stretching of the muscle fibres during the pregnancy.
     Desmoid tumour is found to be associated with familial adenomatous polyposis (Gardner’s syndrome).
     Some researchers believe that physical trauma, particularly repeated trauma, might play a role in the formation of desmoid tumours. For example, some people develop a desmoid tumour after surgery or chronic injuries.

Desmoid tumour is a slow growing tumour, but it grows rapidly after undergoing myxomatous changes. Desmoid tumour is so hard that it creaks on cutting. Desmoid tumour usually invades the adjacent muscles, but does not metastasise. Recurrence of the desmoid tumour is quite common after surgery. The recurrent desmoid tumour, known as the recurrent fibroid of Paget, is more malignant in character than the desmoid tumour.

Desmoid tumour may remain asymptomatic during early stages of the disease. The symptoms of Desmoid tumour vary depending on site and size of the tumour. The most common symptom of the desmoid tumor is a relatively firm mass or lump, which often causes mild pain.

Other symptoms depending on site of the Desmoid tumour include:

     rectal bleeding
     severe abdominal pain
     localized pain
     stiffness
     limping and other mobility difficulties

Procedures used to diagnose the desmoid tumour include Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan and MRI to scan the inside of the body to better understand the extent of cancer. Also, biopsy i.e taking the tissue sample to determine if cancer cells are present is performed to detect the desmoid tumour.

Cancertame is one medicine which can be taken along with conventional treatment of desmoid tumours which also helps to reduce the side effects of other treatments such as hormone therapy. It is highly recommended that patients who are suffering from desmoid tumour should contact Cancertame Private Limited’s support team at support@cancertame.com for more information regarding the recommended dosage in their case.