• Daniela Schulz-Ertner, Dietmar Zierhut, Ulrich Mende, Wolfgang Harms, Pierre Branitzki, and Michael Wannenmacher.
• Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Heidelberg, Germany. d.ertner@dkfz-heidelberg.de
• Strahlenther Onkol. 2002 Feb 1; 178 (2): 78-83.

PurposeTo investigate the role of radiation therapy (RT) in the management of desmoid tumors.Patients And MethodsRetrospective analysis was performed on 28 patients with desmoid tumors treated with radiation therapy between March 1989 and March 1999. Tumor site was intraabdominal in three, abdominal wall in three and extraabdominal in 22 patients. Median tumor dose was 48 Gy (range 36-60 Gy). Radiation therapy was delivered postoperatively in 26 of 28 patients, two patients received radiation therapy for unresectable recurrent tumors.ResultsMedian follow-up was 46 months (range 13-108 months). Actuarial 5-year control rate was 73%. We observed six recurrences, located within the radiation field in one patient, out of field in two and at the field margin in three patients. All patients with intraabdominal tumors have been controlled without severe side effects.ConclusionsRadiation therapy is an effective treatment after incomplete resection of desmoid tumors. We did not observe a benefit for tumor doses exceeding 50 Gy. In some patients with circumscribed intraabdominal desmoid tumors, radiation therapy might be a treatment option with low toxicity, if 3-D treatment planning is utilized.

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