[Abdominal desmoid tumor: pathologic and therapeutic concepts].

BACKGROUND: Abdominal desmoid tumors arise in young adults between 20 and 40 years. They are characterized by a local recurrence in 20 to 30% of cases. AIM: review the clinical and pathologic features of this entity, look for the expression of immunohistochemical markers (actine, desmine, CD34, vimentin) and also to estimate the expression of two potential targets therapy; the hormonal receptors and the CD117. METHODS: From 1990 to 2004, three cases of abdominal desmoid tumors were diagnosed in the Pathologic laboratory of the Charles Nicole Hospital of Tunis. RESULTS: The study concerned three women 62, 35 and 30 year-old. All the patients were operated and the size of tumours varied to 5 to 7cm. The CD117 and the hormonal receptors were negative in every case. None of the patients presented local recurrence. CONCLUSION: Abdominal desmoid tumors are locally aggressive but never give metastasis. The negativity of these lesions to the CD117 and in the hormonal receptors does not imply resistance in the hormonal treatment by anti-estrogens.