Management of A Desmoid Tumor in Pregnancy: A Case Report

Summary

This paper describes a case of a large desmoid tumor on the abdominal wall that developed in the 10th week of pregnancy in a 29-year-old patient with no history of familial adenomatous polyposis. Ultrasound showed that the tumor had increased around 158% during pregnancy. The patient underwent Cesarean section during which a mass of around 20 cm was detected between the anterior and posterior layer of the aponeurosis of the rectus abdominis muscle. Conservative management (no intervention) was adopted with follow-up imaging. Ultrasound-guided core biopsy was performed four and a half months after delivery, with histopathology revealing a spindle cell neoplasm, with possible musculoaponeurotic fibromatosis. Six months after childbirth, the tumor had decreased spontaneously by 40.5% in thickness and nine months following delivery the patient continues to be monitored under expectant management, with no complaints or symptoms. Although rare, obstetricians should be aware of the possibility of a desmoid tumor during pregnancy and should evaluate the best management option (surgery, pharmacological treatment or expectant management) according to the patientÂ’s profile in order to avoid visceral complications, the need for extensive surgery with possible aesthetic and functional sequelae, and even iatrogenic complications.