"A nomogram to predict risk of recurrence following surgical resection of a desmoid tumor" by Dr. Aimee Crago, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center 

At our fall Patient Meeting we were enlightened on the subject of assessing the risk of desmoid tumor recurrence after surgery.  Dr. Aimee Crago summarizes her presentation as follows:  "Surgery has been the gold-standard for treating desmoids, but many patients recur. To determine who is most likely to recur, we examined outcomes in 495 patients following surgery. After 5 years, 31% of patients experienced a recurrence. Patients with extremity and chest wall tumors had increased risk of recurrence as compared to patients with abdominal wall tumors (rectus sheath tumors) who were cured with surgery in over 90% of cases. The younger the patients, the more likely they were to recur and the larger the tumor, the more often it was associated with recurrence after surgery.  We did not see an association between microscopically positive margins after surgery and risk of subsequent recurrence. To accurately assess risk, we integrated size, age and tumor site into a nomogram (a graphical calculating device) which can be used to estimate each individual patient's risk of recurrence after surgery. At our institution, for patients with high risk of recurrence, we often recommend a trial of alternate therapies such as sorafenib because aggressive surgery may not benefit patients if they will recur rapidly."

Watch for more information in our next DTRF newsletter.

                                    

 

If you'd like to schedule an appointment with her, please contact the patient access service at 800-525-2225.

 

                       (approximately 30 miles north of Manhattan)

                                    

                                                

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