Unusual fibromatosis of the head and neck

Recurrent Desmoid Tumor of the Neck: A Case Report of a Benign Disease with Aggressive Behavior

We present a case of a desmoid tumor recurrence in a patient with a history of a resected desmoid tumor of the right neck area with free surgical margins six months earlier. The neoplasm was found to invade the parapharyngeal space, and wide excision was performed including most of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), the thrombosed internal jugular vein (IJV), and the infiltrated spinal accessory nerve (SAN). The histopathologic findings displayed free microscopic margins, with close margins at the site of the parapharyngeal space extension. After 3 months, there was no sign of tumor recurrence. After 6 months, local tumor recurrence was identified on clinical examination and imaging. The decision of the Oncology Board was further treatment with radiotherapy (RT). Response to treatment was satisfactory, and the patient was on close follow-up for twelve months. Desmoid tumors are very rare benign neoplasms of mesenchymal origin with negligible mortality but high morbidity, due to their high recurrence rates, local tissue infiltration, and unpredictable disease course and response to treatment. No universally acceptable treatment protocols have been introduced to date. Appropriate patient counseling and close follow-up are warranted in all cases.

Aggressive Fibromatosis of the Neck Treated with a Combination of Chemotherapy and Indomethacin

Aggressive fibromatosis (desmoid tumor) of the neck is rare. When feasible, surgery is the best treatment option. However, complete excision with negative margins is not possible in most cases because of the involvement of vascular and nervous structures. Also, surgery results in poor functional and aesthetic outcomes. Sometimes de-bulking surgery with positive margins is performed, but the anatomy of the neck is a challenge for oncologic surgeons, and recurrences are not uncommon. Radiotherapy is seldom employed for the same reasons. On the other hand, systemic treatment with chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and noncytotoxic agents such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been used with good results. We report a case of inoperable aggressive fibromatosis of the neck that was successfully treated for about 21 months with a combination of chemotherapy and the NSAID indomethacin. As far as we know, this is the first reported use of a combination of chemotherapy and an anti-inflammatory drug in the treatment of aggressive fibromatosis of the neck. We also review the literature on cases of aggressive fibromatosis of the neck that have been reported over the past 12 years.

Fibromatosis of the submandibular region

Fibromatoses are benign tumors that can occur anywhere in the body. They are locally aggressive and tend to recur; they also cause considerable morbidity, particularly when they arise in the head and neck. Fibromatosis in the submandibular region is rare. Here, we present a case of fibromatosis of the submandibular region in a 42-year-old female who presented with a right submandibular mass. The patient underwent complete excision of the fibromatosis, showed negative margins and had no adjuvant therapy. Her recovery was uneventful, and there was no recurrence or neurological deficit 1 year after the operation.

Aggressive Fibromatosis of the Oropharynx: A Multidisciplinary Approach to a Benign Disease

We present the case of a 23-year-old woman with aggressive fibromatosis of the oropharynx that was initially treated elsewhere as a peritonsillar abscess. We discuss the characteristics of this rare tumor and review the literature, stressing the importance of postoperative follow-up for peritonsillar abscesses to avoid missing other important diagnoses, such as the one described here.