COMBINATION CHEMOTHERAPY FOR DESMOID TUMORS

Okuno SH, Edmonson JH (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905).

We reviewed our experience from 1976 _ July, 1998 of patients with desmoid tumors who received chemotherapy. We identified 7 patients (5 male and 2 female) with a median age of 40 years (17-66). Five patients had recurrent desmoid tumors. Four patients had Familial Adenomatous Polyposis. Four patients failed Tamoxifen and 6 failed NSAIDS prior to receiving chemotherapy. In 6 patients the desmoid tumor was intra-abdominopelvic and 1 on the buttock. The combination chemotherapy consisted of Cyclophosphamide/Doxorubicin, Ifosfamide/Etoposide, and Mitomycin/Doxorubicin/Cisplatin. The duration of chemotherapy was 3-12 months. An objective response was seen in 3 patients. There was clinical benefit (decrease obstructive symptoms, weight gain, improved PS) in 6 patients with the duration of benefit ranging from 3 months to 15 years. Chemotherapy was well tolerated with no treatment-related mortality. Conclusions: The use of combination chemotherapy for desmoid tumors can provide long term clinical benefits.