Case report

Extraabdominal fibromatosis in retroperitoneal space

Akira Kikkawa¹ , Akira Kido^2,3 , Tsukasa Kumai³ and Toru Hoshida²

¹  Department of Urology, Hannna Central Hospital, Nara, Japan

²  Divison of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical Center for Emergency and Critical Care, Nara Prefectural Nara Hospital, Nara, Japan

³  Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan

author email corresponding author email

World Journal of Surgical Oncology 2004, 2:33doi:10.1186/1477-7819-2-33

Published:	3 October 2004

Abstract

Background

Fibromatosis or desmoid tumor covers a broad spectrum of benign fibrous tissue proliferations. It is characterized by infiltrative growth and a tendency towards recurrence; however, unlike sarcoma, it never metastasizes.

Case presentation

We report on a case of extraabdominal fibromatosis originating from the retroperitoneal space in a 43-year-old woman. Seven years earlier she had undergone ureterolysis and ureteroureterostomy for ureteral obstruction. Computed tomography revealed a tumor between the iliocostalis and the psoas muscle. Histopathological evaluation revealed uniform proliferation of spindle cells, with a moderate amount of collagen fibers, suggesting extraabdominal fibromatosis (desmoid tumor). The tumor was surgically resected, and since then, the patient has remained asymptomatic without any restrictions of daily living activities and without any signs of tumor recurrence during the two-year follow-up.

Conclusions

Complete resection is the treatment of choice. Adjuvant therapy using non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, tamoxifen, interferon, anti-neoplastic agents, and radiotherapy, either alone or in combination finds application for unresectable or recurrent cases.