Have you ever been a little scared when you noticed a new lump on your body, perhaps on an arm, leg, or stomach? It's actually normal to feel a little scared when you see such a lump. But not all lumps are dangerous. However, sometimes there is a small chance that it could be a rare type of lump called a 'Desmoid Tumor' that we are talking about today. So today we will talk about everything in a very simple way, in a way that you can understand.
What is Desmoid Tumor?
Simply put, this is also a tumor, or lump, that forms from the tissues of our body. But this is not like the fatty tumors (Lipoma) that we usually see under the skin. These tumors form in the fibrous tissues of our body. To be precise, they form in the strong tissues like the tendons that connect our muscles to our bones and the ligaments that connect our bones to each other. The name "Desmoid" comes from a Greek word that means "like a belt."
The biggest question you may be asking yourself now is, "Is this cancer?" Desmoid tumors are often classified as benign because they do not spread (metastasize) from one part of the body to another like normal cancers.
But here we need to understand something very important. Although these tumors do not spread, sometimes they can grow very quickly (aggressive) . When that happens, the tumor can grow into and damage the healthy tissues, nerves, and blood vessels around the tumor. Because of this characteristic, in some ways they behave like cancer. That is why we need to be concerned about this.
These are very rare. They occur in only 2 to 4 cases per million worldwide. They can occur at any age, in anyone, but are most common in women in their 30s.
What are the reasons for these to occur?
Although it is difficult to say exactly why, it has been found that there is an increased risk of developing these in some cases.
- Hereditary conditions: People with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), a hereditary condition that causes colon cancer, are more likely to develop desmoid tumors.
- Pregnancy: It is believed that the hormone 'estrogen', which increases in the body during pregnancy, is also involved.
- Severe injuries to the body: Sometimes a lump like this can develop after surgery or at a later time at the site of a severe injury.
What are the symptoms of a Desmoid Tumor?
The symptoms of this depend on where in the body the lump is located. Sometimes it can be present without any symptoms at all. Let's take a look at how the main symptoms differ.
| Location of the lump | Possible symptoms |
|---|---|
| Close to the skin (hands, feet, neck, head) | A lump that is usually painless or slightly painful and can be felt in the hand. |
| Inside the abdomen (belly) | These can grow more rapidly. The pressure on blood vessels and nerves in the abdomen can cause severe pain, numbness, limping, and loss of use of the limbs . Sometimes, serious conditions such as intestinal blockage and rectal bleeding can occur. |
How do you know for sure if this is a Desmoid Tumor?
If you have a lump, your doctor will do several tests to determine exactly what type it is.
1. Ultrasound scan: This uses high-frequency sound waves to look inside the lump. This can help determine whether the lump is solid or fluid-filled.
2. Other imaging scans: These help to see if the tumor is involved with surrounding tissues and whether it can be safely removed surgically.
- MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Uses a strong magnetic field to take very clear, detailed images.
- CT scan (Computerized Tomography): A series of X-rays are taken together to create a complete picture of the tumor.
3. Biopsy: This is the most important and definitive test . A small piece of the lump, or the entire lump, is removed and examined under a microscope. This is the only test that can tell you 100% whether it is a desmoid tumor or something else.
How is it treated?
If the biopsy confirms that it is a desmoid tumor, your doctor will choose the most appropriate treatment for you. Treatment is determined by many factors, including the size of the tumor, its location, how fast it is growing, and your symptoms.
- Wait and watch: Don't be surprised, some lumps won't get bigger without any treatment. Some may even shrink over time. So if the lump is small, outside the abdomen, and there are no symptoms, your doctor may decide to observe it for a while.
- Surgery: Surgery is performed whenever possible to completely remove the tumor. However, it can be difficult to remove tumors that are located inside the abdomen. Also, even after surgery, there is a 25% - 50% chance that the tumor will grow back in the same place.
- Radiation therapy: This treatment is used alone, with surgery, or with medication. It is effective for many people. However, if the tumor is inside the abdomen, this may not be possible because radiation can damage nearby vital organs.
- Medication: There is no specific treatment for these tumors yet. However, various types of medications, including anti-cancer drugs, are used to shrink the tumors or stop them from growing.
- Other modern treatments:
- Radiofrequency ablation: Needle-like devices are inserted into the tumor and radio waves are used to generate heat, destroying the tumor.
- Cryoablation: A probe is used to freeze and destroy the tumor tissue.
Most importantly, your medical team will decide which of these treatments is best for you. So, don't hesitate to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with them.
Take-Home Message
- Desmoid tumors are a rare type of tumor. They don't usually spread throughout the body like cancer. However, they can grow rapidly and damage surrounding tissue.
- If you notice a new lump, tumor, or swelling anywhere on your body , don't panic or ignore it, but definitely show it to a doctor.
- Only a biopsy can confirm for sure whether this is a desmoid tumor.
- Treatment varies from person to person. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you after carefully examining your condition.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 🧐 When we say a kidney tumor, does it necessarily mean cancer?
No, just because you have a kidney tumor doesn't mean it's cancer. Sometimes, things like 'desmoid tumors' that form in the lining of the abdomen can also cause pressure on the kidneys or surrounding organs. Although these don't spread throughout the body like cancer, being aware of them can help ease your fears.
💬 🩺 If you find a lump somewhere on your body, how do you suspect it is a Desmoid tumor?
Generally, if you have a hard, painless lump anywhere on your body, especially in the abdomen or limbs, it could be a Desmoid tumor. Although these are not as dangerous as kidney cancer, they can press on nearby nerves or organs, so it is best to get checked out as soon as possible. We will give you a complete explanation about this in our article.
💬 🤔 What is the difference between a kidney tumor and a desmoid tumor?
The main difference is that kidney cancer develops from cells inside the kidney. But desmoid tumors develop from connective tissues in the body. Many people are afraid because both of these can feel like a lump in the abdomen. But a desmoid tumor is not cancerous (non-cancerous). So don't be afraid and read this article, then you will have a clear understanding about this.
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