Aggressive fibromatosis of the head and neck (desmoid tumours)

Desmoid tumours are histologically benign fibrous neoplasms arising from the musculoaponeurotic structures throughout the body. They are characterized as infiltrative, usually well-differentiated firm overgrowth of fibrous tissue and are locally aggressive. An aggressive clinical behaviour with tendency for recurrence makes the treatment of these relatively rare fibrous tumours difficult. Local recurrence rates are reported as high as 70 per cent of cases, the recurrence of desmoid fibromatosis in the head and neck is difficult to ascertain because of the different classification schemes used by different authors. A review of cases of desmoid tumours of the head and neck presented in the last 10 years is reported in this paper. Complete surgical excision of desmoid tumours is considered to be the only effective method of cure by most authorities.