What are the symptoms of a desmoid tumor?

Desmoid Tumor: Symptoms and Signs

  • Soreness or pain caused by the tumor pressing on nearby nerves, muscles, or blood vessels.
  • Tingling or a feeling of “pins and needles,” when the tumor presses on local nerves or blood vessels.
  • Limping or other difficulties moving the legs or feet.
  • Difficulty moving the arms or hands.
  • Pain.

Is a desmoid tumor considered cancer?

Desmoid tumors are often found in the abdomen, as well as the shoulders, upper arms, and thighs. Desmoid tumors are benign, which means they are not cancer. While the cells of the desmoid tumor do not travel to parts the body like cancer can, they can invade nearby tissue and are often very painful.

How do you get a desmoid tumor?

An inherited mutation in one copy of the APC gene causes familial adenomatous polyposis and predisposes affected individuals to develop desmoid tumors. The desmoid tumors occur when a somatic mutation occurs in the second copy of the APC gene.

How do you shrink a desmoid tumor?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can sometimes slowly shrink a desmoid tumor, as well as relieve associated pain and swelling. These drugs may include celecoxib (Celebrex), ibuprofen (multiple brand names), indomethacin (Tivorbex), naproxen (multiple brand names), or sulindac (available as a generic drug).

Is there a cure for desmoid tumors?

Some tumors never grow and may never require treatment. Some tumors may shrink on their own without any treatment. Surgery. If your desmoid tumor causes signs and symptoms, your doctor may recommend an operation to remove the entire tumor and a small margin of healthy tissue that surrounds it.

Is desmoid tumor a sarcoma?

Desmoid tumors are a type of soft-tissue tumor that come from fibrous tissue. They are related to connective tissue cancers called sarcomas, but desmoid tumors are not cancer because they do not spread to other parts of the body.