What should I do if I have a desmoid tumor? How should I treat it?

Desmoid tumors are aggressive diseases that usually grow in deep soft tissues and are characterized by aggressive growth. They are prone to local recurrence after surgery, but they do not metastasize. They are prone to appear in the abdominal wall of adolescent and childbearing women. Abdominal wall lesions usually occur during the menstrual period. Most patients present with asymptomatic local swelling. Most lesions progress slowly, and studies have shown that tumor recurrence has no obvious correlation with tumor resection margins.

When a desmoid tumor is first discovered, if the symptoms are not obvious, you can choose to observe it. About 50% of desmoid tumors do not progress significantly within 5 years.

Patients with critical desmoid tumors can choose surgical resection. Patients with severe intraoperative disability can consider drug therapy or radiotherapy. Chemotherapy regimens based on methotrexate, vincristine, and doxorubicin are also acceptable. Although drugs such as tamoxifen can delay the development of lesions, the overall response rate is not high. The effects of drug treatments such as Gleevec, Sorafenib, and Nexavar are still under observation.

Studies have shown that although the development of fibroids is related to pregnancy, the development of most fibroids is controllable, and the development of some parts will gradually stop after delivery. Therefore, having sclerosing fibroids is not a contraindication to pregnancy.

How are desmoid tumors treated?

Generally speaking, no special treatment is needed. You can take some anti-inflammatory and antiseptic drugs. If necessary, laser treatment can be selected.

Choose Chinese medicine as an auxiliary treatment. You can choose drugs with bactericidal and moisturizing effects, such as Sophora flavescens, to clean the skin or for external use.

Pay attention to a low-salt and low-fat diet, remember not to eat seafood and spicy foods, and choose some foods that have a moisturizing effect, such as cucumbers, olives, etc.