Association of MRI T2 Signal Intensity With Desmoid Tumor Progression During Active Observation: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of desmoid progression during observation. Summary of Background Data: Untreated desmoids can grow, remain stable, or regress, but reliable predictors of behavior have not been identified. Methods: Primary or recurrent desmoid patients were identified retrospectively from an institutional database. In those managed with active observation who underwent serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) with T2-weighted sequences, baseline tumor size was recorded, and 2 radiologists independently estimated the percentage of tumor volume showing hyperintense T2 signal at baseline. Associations of clinical or radiographic characteristics with progression-free survival (PFS; by RECIST) were evaluated by Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier statistics. Results: Among 160 patients with desmoids, 72 were managed with observation, and 37 of these had serial MRI available for review. Among these 37 patients, median age was 35 years and median tumor size was 4.7 cm; all tumors were extra-abdominal (41% in abdominal wall). Although PFS was not associated with size, site, or age, it was strongly associated with hyperintense T2 signal in ≥90% versus
Source: Annals of Surgery - Category: Surgery Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research