Desmoid tumor of the abdominal wall: a case report

• Main Authors: Papapavlou Leonidas, Andreadis Efstathios, Pitta Xanthi, Economou Athanasios, Chrissidis Thomas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-07-01
• Series: Journal of Medical Case Reports
• Online Access: http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/5/1/326

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Desmoid tumors are rare lesions without any metastatic potential but a strong tendency to invade locally and to recur. These tumors are associated with women of fertile age, especially during and after pregnancy.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>The case of a desmoid tumor of the anterior abdominal wall in a 40-year-old Caucasian man with no relevant family history is presented, describing its appearance on computed tomography and ultrasonography. The patient, who presented with a painless mass in the left anterolateral abdomen, had a history of previous urgent abdominal surgery after a shotgun injury two years earlier. Radical resection of the affected abdominal wall musculature was performed, and the defect was reconstructed with polypropylene mesh.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The diagnosis of desmoid tumor should be strongly considered even in male patients with an abdominal mass and a history of previous abdominal surgery. The goal of its treatment is complete tumor excision and avoidance of the development of complications such as hernia.</p>