The desmoid tumors are benign tumors arising from fibroaponeurotic tissue. They occur in 4 to 13% patients who present familial adenomatous polyposis. Although a benign disease, desmoid tumors are focally invasive. They do not metastasize but can be lethal because of aggressive growth with pressure and erosion causing small bowel obstruction. Their tendency to recur (65% to 85%) after removal has encouraged a conservative approach to management. The authors report the case of a patient who presented intra-abdominal desmoid tumor, treated surgically in the Hospital Governador Israel Pinheiro - Belo Horizonte (MG) and discuss the therapeutic options in the literature.
desmoid tumors; tamoxifen; familial adenomatous polyposis
