The occurrence of desmoids in patients with familial polyposis coli

Choice of prophylactic surgery for the large bowel component of familial adenomatous polyposis

The surgical options for treating the large bowel component of familial adenomatous polyposis are total proctocolectomy, colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis, and restorative proctocolectomy, with or without mucosectomy. Although the first of these eradicates all mucosa at risk, it carries several disadvantages, not least of which is a permanent ileostomy. There is little to choose functionally between the other two operations. The choice should be based on the perceived risk of cancer developing in any residual rectum; the factors influencing this risk are discussed.

Aggressive fibromatosis (non-familial desmoid tumour): therapeutic problems and the role of adjuvant radiotherapy

Aggressive fibromatosis is a rare soft tissue tumour with a high tendency to local recurrence, even after apparently adequate resection. Wide local excision with a margin of at least 3 cm, depending on the anatomical location, should be performed to improve rates of recurrent disease. There is no consensus concerning the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of these lesions. The clinical findings of 39 cases diagnosed between 1972 and 1991 were reviewed retrospectively. Local control was effected in 19 of 32 patients treated with surgery alone after a median (range) follow-up of 72 (18-236) months. There were 40 cases of recurrent fibromatosis in 15 patients. Local control was obtained in 13 of 14 patients who received radiotherapy using a wide-field technique and doses of more than 50 Gy over a period of 5 weeks after marginal or incomplete resection of primary or recurrent lesions (P < 0.001). The results suggest that in a selected group of patients with aggressive fibromatosis radiotherapy may effectively achieve control of residual disease after surgery without marked disfigurement and loss of function.

Familial adenomatous polyposis

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant condition resulting in the development of more than 100 adenomatous polyps in the large bowel. In addition, a number of extracolonic manifestations of the condition may occur. Recently, increasing knowledge relating to the extracolonic abnormalities, and localization and sequencing of the gene for FAP, have had important implications for screening and long-term follow-up of those affected. In this review the natural history of the disease and the extracolonic manifestations associated with it are considered. Surgical management and advances in understanding at a molecular level are discussed, as well as the problems relating to screening for FAP and the implications of the new knowledge.

Secondary proctectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis after ileorectal anastomosis for familial adenomatous polyposis

Conversion of ileorectal anastomosis to ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) was indicated in 29 patients with familial adenomatous polyposis but technically impossible in three because of unsuspected pelvic desmoid tumours. There was no operative mortality and overall postoperative morbidity and late complication rates were no different from those in a group of 120 patients who underwent IPAA as a first operative procedure. Unsuspected adenocarcinoma (one invasive, three in situ) was found in four patients. The functional results in patients with IPAA did not differ from those of ileorectal anastomosis before conversion or from those obtained after IPAA as a first-choice procedure. Secondary proctectomy and IPAA can be safely offered to patients with ileorectal anastomosis and a high risk of rectal cancer.

Evolution of hereditary bowel cancer

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) are both inherited as autosomal dominant conditions in which the mutation gives rise to a tendency to produce precancerous adenomas. However these two forms of hereditary bowel cancer show important differences at the clinical, pathological and molecular genetic levels. It is argued that the first tissue manifestation of FAP is the unicryptal adenoma. The existence of a preceding field change characterised by diffuse hyperproliferation and various altered phenotypes does not stand up to critical scrutiny. The processes of neoplastic evolution in FAP and HNPCC are compared in detail. It is suggested that an understanding of the function of the FAP and HNPCC genes will lead to the development of cancer prevention strategies aimed at blocking the earliest stages of neoplastic development.

Diffuse intra-abdominal fibromatosis in association with bilateral ovarian fibromatosis and oedema

A case of bilateral ovarian enlargement secondary to massive ovarian oedema with underlying intra-abdominal and pelvic fibromatosis is presented. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and hysterectomy led to rapid progression of the intra-abdominal and pelvic fibromatosis, which was previously unsuspected. The case highlights the importance of recognizing massive oedema of the ovary as a distinct entity as it is a benign condition affecting young females and can be confused with ovarian neoplasm. In this case, the major morbidity was from the underlying diffuse intra-abdominal fibromatosis. Conservative management with prolonged bowel rest, total parenteral nutrition, and intravenous steroid and Tamoxifen successfully led to complete resolution of bowel obstruction from diffuse fibromatosis.

The impact of familial adenomatous polyposis on the tumorigenesis and mortality at the several organs. Its rational treatment

The authors reviewed the case records of 1050 familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients who were registered at their institution. The organ-specific morbidity and mortality rates of malignant tumor in FAP patients were compared with those of the general population of Japan, and the prognosis after rectum-preserving operation also was calculated. The cumulative prevalence of colorectal carcinoma at the age of 44 years was 0.52 for men and 0.61 for women. The observed/expected morbidity ratio was 20.9 (95% confidence interval, 10.8-36.6) for thyroid carcinoma, 3.08 (2.03-7.75) for gastric carcinoma, and 295 (263-330) for colorectal carcinoma. The observed/expected mortality ratios was 250 (112-447) for periampullary and small intestinal carcinoma, 3.43 (1.77-6.0) for gastric carcinoma, and 210 (183-241) for colorectal carcinoma. The risk of rectal carcinoma after ileorectal anastomosis was 13% (8.5-17.5%) at 10 years and 37% at 20 years. The results clarified the impact of FAP on the carcinogenesis in several organs as a whole including preserved rectum, and suggested a direction of the rational treatment of FAP.

Juvenile fibromatosis: hormonal receptors

Aggressive juvenile fibromatosis, though allegedly a benign process, is as frustrating to manage as it is perplexing to comprehend. The treatment is primarily surgical, with chemotherapy and radiation therapy recently finding support as adjuncts in selected circumstances. Though there is no agreement regarding the etiology of fibromatosis, many have suspected hormonal or traumatic influences. There has been historical, clinical and experimental data demonstrating that fibromatosis seems to be under the influence of estrogen. There have also been anecdotal reports that this tumor has regressed with the use of tamoxifen. To our knowledge, no one has tested these tissues for the presence of estrogen/progesterone receptors. Recently, over a short period of time, we at Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, have treated four youngsters with this disorder. All operative specimens were submitted for estrogen and progesterone assays. Although these cases were indistinguishable on histologic examination, two of the four exhibited the presence of estrogen/progesterone receptors. We propose, that from these observations, there potentially may be derived a histochemical classification based upon the presence or absence of estrogen/progesterone receptors. This would serve as an added reference in the definition and treatment of this disease. Should hormonal receptors be present, agents such as tamoxifen conceivably could be employed as part of a post-operative maintenance regimen similar to those protocols applied in the management of hormonally responsive breast cancer.

A case of primary mesenteric fibromatosis

A case of primary mesenteric fibromatosis is reported and the current modalities of therapy are discussed. Surgery is the primary mode of treatment. Other modalities should be reserved for gross local residual disease and for unresectable recurrence.

Infantile fibromatosis with involvement of the mandible

Two unusual cases of infantile fibromatosis involving the mandible occurring in 2-year-old children are described. These tumours, though initially highly aggressive, underwent spontaneous regression in the absence of definitive treatment.

Noncytotoxic drug therapy for intra-abdominal desmoid tumor in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis

Forty of 416 patients with familial adenomatous polyposis were noted to have intra-abdominal desmoid tumors, and a subgroup of 16 were treated with noncytotoxic drug therapy. Drugs used were sulindac (14 patients), sulindac plus tamoxifen (3 patients), indomethacin (4 patients), tamoxifen (4 patients), progesterone (DEPO-PROVERA; Upjohn Co., Kalamazoo, MI) (2 patients), and testolactone (1 patient). Therapy with these drugs for continuous periods of six months or more resulted in three complete and seven partial remissions. When treated patients were compared with untreated patients (n = 12), there were significant benefits for the treated group, both in reduction of desmoid size and in improvement of symptoms, despite the inherent selection bias against this. Sulindac was the only drug used in enough patients to permit independent evaluation of its effect, with one complete and seven partial reductions of tumor size. Some patients had a delayed response to sulindac, with tumor shrinkage occurring after an initial period of tumor enlargement. When using sulindac for the treatment of desmoid tumors, this phenomenon should be considered.

Effective chemotherapy for abdominal desmoid tumor in a patient with Gardner's syndrome. Report of a case

Desmoid tumors are rare, but not in patients with Gardner's syndrome. Although standard treatment is wide surgical excision, we prescribed chemotherapy for a 30-year-old woman with intra-abdominal desmoids, a complication after subtotal colectomy for the treatment of familial polyposis coli. Exploratory laparotomy revealed that the desmoids were not resectable. Chemotherapy with combinations of vincristine, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone was prescribed for over 3 months, and a partial regression of the tumors occurred. Two years after the initiation of the chemotherapy, complete regression of tumors was achieved with cyclophosphamide and prednisone. Surgical excision, irradiation, and chemotherapy treatments are discussed.

Intra-abdominal desmoid tumors in familial polyposis coli: a case report of tumor regression by prednisolone therapy

A case of intra-abdominal desmoid tumors in familial polyposis coli (FPC), which regressed and disappeared by prednisolone treatment, is reported. A 37-year-old Japanese man with abdominal lumps was admitted to our hospital. He had had proctocolectomy two years before because of FPC with rectal cancer. At laparotomy, tumors were present in the abdominal wall, mesentery, and retroperitoneum. Only a small part of the tumors was resected and diagnosed microscopically to be desmoid tumors. With prednisolone administration (20 to 5 mg/day) subjective symptoms were ameliorated and desmoid tumors slowly regressed. Bilateral hydronephrosis continued and resulted in "retroperitoneal fibrosis." To our knowledge, this case is the first well-documented case of retroperitoneal fibrosis in a patient with FPC. The characteristics of the desmoid tumor in familial polyposis coli or in Gardner's syndrome and the methods for its management are discussed.

Diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) includes early development of up to thousands of colorectal adenomas and of colorectal adenocarcinoma in all untreated cases. Moreover, a variety of extracolonic manifestations are seen. Proctosigmoidoscopy is used for screening; when adenomas are found, the diagnostic evaluation includes colonoscopy and gastroduodenoscopy. Screening of first degree relatives should start at the age of 10 years, using proctosigmoidoscopy at regular intervals. The recent detection of a specific FAP gene at chromosome 5 and of congenital retinal pigmentations will allow an early preclinical diagnosis in the future. A centralized registration of FAP has resulted in an improved prognosis, and the establishment of international groups will contribute to increased research of this disease.

Treatment of recurrent desmoid tumour with tamoxifen

A 30 year old woman with aggressive fibromatosis (desmoid) of the left upper arm and scapular region was treated with wide excision. Two years later she presented with extensive local recurrence of the scapular and deltoid regions. She was treated with tamoxifen (20 mg daily) and, over the next 6 months, the tumour regressed. She has been recurrence-free for the past year. We suggest that, in patients with desmoid tumours, hormone receptor determination and hormone therapy be attempted before subjecting patients to any form of radical treatment with surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Chemical de-bulking of desmoid tumours

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Mortality in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis

The authors identified 132 patients who died with a documented diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). A review of the medical records, autopsy reports, and in-depth discussion with local physicians and well-informed family members was performed. It was impossible, even after the review, to ascertain the exact cause of death in 22 patients. In the remaining patients, the cause of death was as follows: metastatic colorectal carcinoma, 64 patients (58.2 percent), (colon, 49 [44.5 percent], rectal, 15 [13.6 percent]); desmoid tumors, 12 (10.9 percent); periampullary carcinoma, 9 (8.2 percent); brain tumors, 8 (7.3 percent); perioperative mortalities, 5 (4.5 percent); adrenal carcinoma, 1 (0.9 percent); and abdominal carcinomatosis, 1 (0.9 percent). Ten patients died of causes not related to FAP. The major causes of death in 36 patients who underwent prophylactic colectomy were desmoid tumor and periampullary malignancy. This finding underscores the importance of lifelong surveillance and periodic endoscopic evaluation in patients with FAP.

The diagnostic significance and management of Gardner's syndrome

Gardner's syndrome is a hereditary disorder characterised by gastrointestinal polyposis, bony osteomata, epidermoid cysts, desmoid tumours and unerupted teeth and odontomes. The major significance of the condition lies in the gastrointestinal polyposis and the high propensity of these polyps to undergo malignant change. The syndrome is no longer considered as a separate genetic entity to familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and the multiple stigmata are common to both conditions. A case of Gardner's syndrome is reported and the condition reviewed. The aim being to emphasise those features seen in the head and neck region and their particular importance in terms of early recognition and diagnosis of the underlying disease. The subsequent management of such patients is discussed.

Recent trends in the management of desmoid tumors. Summary of 19 cases and review of the literature

Recent advances in the understanding of desmoid tumor biology affect therapeutic choices. This series of 19 patients and review of the literature outlines historic perspectives and discusses the options in the management of these locally aggressive tumors. Desmoid tumors tend to grow steadily, regardless of tumor location. However differences in the aggressive nature of these tumors are seen when age and sex distributions are scrutinized. Although recurrence rates are high, excisional therapy is the best first approach. An exception is the case in which tumor excision is either particularly dangerous or likely to result in significant physical handicap. Radiation or drug therapy are most often used with recurrent disease or as an alternative to mutilating surgery. Although many pharmacologic approaches have been advocated, (including antiestrogen therapy, cyclic-AMP, and prostaglandin inhibition), results are anecdotal at best.

Brain tumors in familial adenomatous polyposis

Familial adenomatous polyposis was always believed to be a colonic disease of genetic determination with a high risk of development of cancer of the large bowel. Over the years the list of extracolonic manifestations of this disease, both benign and malignant, has amplified. Brain tumors and, in particular, medulloblastoma have not become recognized as major malignant extracolonic manifestations of familial adenomatous polyposis. They are of particular significance because, unlike most of the other manifestations, they occur prior to or early in the development of the colonic manifestations of this disease. This report documents the investigation of 168 kindreds in The Cleveland Clinic Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Registry in a search for those at-risk individuals who developed brain tumors.

Familial adenomatous polyposis

Familial adenomatous polyposis is an autosomal dominant disease that includes early development of up to thousands of colorectal adenomas and several extracolonic manifestations. All untreated patients will develop colorectal adenocarcinoma. The treatment of choice is colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis, but restorative proctocolectomy may be considered in selected cases. Polyposis patients treated with ileorectal anastomosis should be followed for life, with regular proctosigmoidoscopy and destruction of new adenomas. Furthermore, regular gastroduodenoscopy should be carried out because of frequent occurrence of premalignant duodenal adenomas. The prognosis is good after prophylactic colectomy in patients without carcinoma. All first degree relatives of affected family members should be examined regularly with proctosigmoidoscopy from the age of ten, and prophylaxis should be organised using a national or regional polyposis register. The recent detection of a specific gene for familial adenomatous polyposis is a long step forward, and several problems may be solved by increasing international cooperation.

Mesenteric desmoid tumours in Gardner's syndrome--review of medical treatments

Gardner's syndrome comprises a triad of polyposis coli, osteomata and soft tissue tumours including desmoid tumours which can often present difficult problems in management. We report a patient with Gardner's syndrome treated with tamoxifen and medroxyprogesterone acetate. The literature on this rare syndrome and its management is reviewed.

Familial colorectal cancer and familial adenomatous polyposis

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) affects around 1 in 10,000 individuals; the gene for this condition was recently shown to be located on chromosome 5, and it is only a matter of time before its precise location and function are determined, making prephenotypic, and even prenatal, diagnosis more generally available and reliable. In the mean time, care of FAP families will continue to depend on careful registration of family information, prophylactic bowel surgery and surveillance for other potentially serious manifestations of the disease. Upper gastrointestinal malignancies and desmoid tumours have overtaken colorectal cancer as the leading causes of death in some centres. Other dominantly-inherited colorectal cancer syndromes produce less striking phenotypes, but affect far more individuals than FAP. It appears that there are two patterns of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndromes, one involving cases of bowel cancer alone, the other associated with breast and gynaecological cancers; these may prove to be variable expressions of a common gene abnormality. More effort is required by clinicians managing cases of colorectal cancer to identify affected families in order to offer surveillance and appropriate treatment in the hope that such measures may prevent cancer in family members.

[Severity of desmoid tumors with retroperitoneal development in Gardner's syndrome. Apropos of 2 cases]

We report two cases of retroperitoneal desmoid tumours in patients with Gardner's syndrome. These tumours are rare and of poor prognosis. In our two cases, the predominant clinical manifestations were caused by compression of the ureters, bladder and nerve roots. In the first patient, the tumours developed after colectomy, while in the second patient the discovery of the desmoid tumour preceded that of a cancer of the colon. Finally, in the first patient, an attempted treatment with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (sulindac) had to be discontinued after 4 months on account of side-effects.

Mesenteric fibromatosis complicating familial adenomatous polyposis: predisposing factors and results of treatment

Between January 1975 and December 1983, 24 of 183 patients (13%) with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) seen at the Mayo Clinic had mesenteric fibromatosis (MF). MF was found most often in FAP patients with associated extra-colonic "Gardner" signs (19 patients) and those who had had previous abdominal surgery (20 patients). In 4 patients, MF appeared spontaneously. The male-to-female ratio was 0.4, with a median age of 31 years in women and 37 years in men. Ten of 24 patients (42%) had been asymptomatic prior to diagnosis at time of surgery for FAP. Complications of the disease included intestinal or urinary tract obstruction. Minimal surgical manipulation seemed to be associated with fewer postoperative complications and a lesser risk of regrowth of the tumor. Nonsurgical treatment, including tamoxifen and sulindac in combination, may be beneficial. Surgery should be reserved for relief of obstruction, and bypass is preferred to resection.

Peritonitis due to perforated mesenteric fibroma--an hormonal aetiology?

Peritonitis is a very rare complication of mesenteric fibromatosis. A case is reported which occurred 6 days post-partum. It is suggested that such lesions are hormone-sensitive.

Treatment of desmoid tumors in Gardner's syndrome. Report of a case

Aggressive desmoid tumors present difficult problems among patients with Gardner's syndrome. Recently, attention has been directed toward metabolic or hormonal manipulation of these tumors. A 21-year-old woman with Gardner's syndrome was admitted because of recurrent abdominal wall tumors. She was treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tamoxifen, and ascorbate for seven months. During this therapy, CT scan showed a gradual increase in size of the tumors. Subsequent resection of the abdominal tumors and the colon was performed. Although these three types of drugs were administered to prevent postoperative recurrence, an abdominal wall desmoid tumor that invaded the mesentery developed within nine months. The known treatments, that is, chemotherapy, irradiation, and surgical resection are discussed in view of this experience.

Towards an understanding of the malignant transformation of diploid human fibroblasts

This paper reviews the major reports of the spontaneous or carcinogen-induced transformation of human fibroblasts to the malignant state, to infinite lifespan, or to anchorage independence. In some cases, the transformed cells and the parent cell with which the work began were made available to us to be tested to determine whether the cells shared common isozymes, HLA antigens, restriction-fragment length polymorphisms, marker chromosomes, etc., as one would expect. When we examined the normal fibroblastic cell line KD for these markers, and the transformed HuT cell lines developed from it by Kakunaga (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.), 75, 1334, 1978) for these markers, we found marked differences, indicating that KD cells and HuT cells are derived from different individuals. When we applied these techniques to the 3 human fibroblast cell lines transformed by Namba to acquire infinite lifespan in culture (Gann, 27, 221, 1981), it became clear that KSMT-6 was derived from the parent cell, KMS-6, but that both cell lines CT-1 and SUSM-1 were derived from the same parental cell line, AD387. Similar studies with other sets of cell lines are also reported. In the light of these studies, it appears that there is no example of the malignant transformation of human fibroblasts by carcinogen treatment. However, neoplastic transformation and transformation to infinite lifespan by carcinogen treatment have been achieved by a number of workers. We speculate as to how malignant transformation might be obtained by carcinogen treatment.

The use of indomethacin, sulindac, and tamoxifen for the treatment of desmoid tumors associated with familial polyposis

Seven familial polyposis patients with desmoid tumors were treated with indomethacin, sulindac, or tamoxifen either as single agents or in combination. Serial computed tomographic (CT) scan examination was employed for objective measurement of tumor size since physical examination alone was an inaccurate means to evaluate intraabdominal and retroperitoneal desmoids. Only one patient with minimal tumor burden demonstrated a favorable response with complete resolution of an abdominal wall desmoid.

Mesenteric fibromatosis in familial polyposis. A case report and a review of Japanese cases

A 30-year-old female with mesenteric fibromatosis (MF) associated with familial colonic polyposis (FCP) was reported together with a review of Japanese cases of simple MF. Intestinal surgery can contribute to the pathogenesis of MF more intensely in cases associated with FCP than in simple MF cases. Furthermore, the biological behaviour of MF seems to be more aggressive in the former than in the latter.

Occurrence of desmoids in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis of the colon

Desmoid tumors occur at a much higher frequency in association with familial adenomatous polyposis than with any other disease. However, published estimates of risk have varied widely. In this study we have examined the occurrence of desmoids in a population of polyposis patients in order to determine an accurate estimate of the risk of desmoid disease. The crude frequency of desmoids in our population was about 6%, but the risk was dependent on the age and sex of the individuals at risk. The lifetime risk of incurring a desmoid was 8% for males and 13% for females. The distribution of occurrence of desmoid disease with regard to age was unimodal in each sex in contrast to the multimodal distribution observed for desmoids in nonpolyposis patients. Females were more likely to be affected than males and at an earlier age. We also detected heterogeneity of risk between families segregating for the polyposis gene, with the desmoid disease tending to cluster in some of those families. Consequently crude estimates of risk should be used with caution.

The Gardner syndrome

The Gardner syndrome is characterized by polyposis coli and multiple hard and soft tissue tumors. A case of a 17-year-old male is presented who complained of painless and hard swellings on the angle of the mandible bilateraly. The patient presented the original triad of lesions of the Gardner syndrome. On the panoramic X-ray, characteristic radio-opaque lesions (exostoses and enostoses) on the jaws were shown and a compound odontoma was detected in the left side of the mandible.

Extracolonic manifestations of familial polyposis coli

The original concept of familial polyposis coli (FPC) that it is only a genetically determined premalignant disease of the colon changed in the 1950s, with the description of Gardner's syndrome. The extracolonic manifestations of osteoma and epidermoid cyst since have been shown to be only a small part of the spectrum of both benign and malignant extracolonic manifestations of the disease. The modern concept of this condition is that FPC is a genetically determined generalized growth disorder that gives rise to tumors in various parts of the body.

The treatment of ureteral obstruction in Gardner's syndrome: renal autotransplantation

We report a case of successful renal autotransplantation for the treatment of ureteral obstruction owing to retroperitoneal desmoid tumors in Gardner's syndrome. Our patient has survived 2 years postoperatively and represents to our knowledge the only long-term success recorded.

Extracolonic manifestations of familial polyposis coli

The original concept of familial polyposis coli (FPC) as only a genetically determined premalignant disease of the colon changed in the 1950's, with the description of Gardner's syndrome. The extracolonic manifestations of osteoma and epidermoid cyst have since been shown to be only a small part of the spectrum of both benign and malignant extracolonic manifestations of the disease. The modern concept of this condition is that FPC is a genetically determined generalized growth disorder that gives rise to tumors in various parts of the body.

Incidence of associated diseases in familial polyposis coli

In this review we present diseases associated with hereditary polyposis syndromes. In addition to the known extracolonic manifestations of the so-called Gardner's syndrome, other important diseases are carcinomas of the thyroid and of the small bowel and bile duct adenoma. The incidence of these diseases is discussed.

Desmoid tumors in familial polyposis coli

Desmoid tumors are locally invasive, nonmetastasizing fibrous tumors most frequently seen in patients with familial polyposis coli (FPC). Of 325 patients with FPC treated at the Cleveland Clinic, 29 (8.9%) were found to have a total of 36 desmoid tumors. These tumors occur in young patients (mean age: 29.8 years), particularly women (ratio 3:1), and most appeared after previous colectomy (86%). The majority (72% of all desmoids, 90% of patients) were located within the abdomen, specifically within the mesentery of the small intestine. In most cases, attempts at surgical resection were followed by recurrence, and other previous treatments were similarly ineffective. Six of the 29 patients (21%) died from the desmoid and three died from other causes. The recent use of sulindac (Clinoril) has produced some early encouraging results in four patients with these tumors that have proven so difficult to treat in the past.

Adrenal adenomas and adrenal carcinomas in association with hereditary adenomatosis of the colon and rectum

Hereditary adenomatosis of the colon and rectum (HACR) is associated with a wide variety of extracolonic manifestations. Two cases of neoplasia involving the adrenal gland are reported, one adenoma and one carcinoma. The literature relating these lesions to HACR and other syndromes of malignant and nonmalignant growth disturbance is reviewed. The increasing list of the extracolonic manifestations associated with HACR emphasizes the generalized nature of the growth disorder of this disease. An increased awareness of these lesions is important, as many patients with HACR now live longer by avoiding death from colorectal carcinomas due to the increasing usage of prophylactic colectomy.

Mesenteric desmoid tumor in Gardner's syndrome treated by sulindac

Mesenteric desmoid tumors are a recognized sequela of colectomy for polyposis coli of Gardner's type. Relentless growth and recurrence carry a poor prognosis. Recently, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been used to halt the growth of these tumors, presumably by interfering with prostaglandin metabolism. A 36-year-old man presented with small-bowel obstruction secondary to a large, diffuse mesenteric desmoid six years following colectomy and ileoproctostomy. Laparotomy revealed it to be unresectable. Postoperatively, he was started on sulindac (Clinoril) 100 mg twice a day. His obstruction resolved, and he remains well at 11 months. A CT scan shows diminution in the size of the tumor. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents may be an alternative to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in treating mesenteric desmoids.