English

Abstract

Desmoid tumours, also known as desmoid fibromatosis, deep fibromatosis and aggressive fibromatosis constitute a rare fibroblastic proliferative disease. Desmoid tumours can occur anywhere in the body and are generally divided by anatomic designation as extra-abdominal, abdominal wall and intra-abdominal. Fibromatosis in the submandibular region is rare. Only 8% of the total desmoid tumors are located in head & neck region. They are locally aggressive and tend to recur after surgery; they also cause considerable morbidity, particularly when they arise in the head and neck. Though they lack malignant nature, their management becomes challenging due to their aggressive infiltrating nature and may even result in impairment or loss of functions of vital organs. Surgery, radiotherapy, estrogen antagonist, chemotherapy or the combinational therapies have been proposed by various oncologists for its management. Chemical ablation, radiofrequency ablation, and cryoablation have been used to treat patients with desmoid tumors which have recurred after surgery.