Shrinkage of desmoid tumor with interferon alfa treatment: a case report

Cytokines Cell Mol Ther. 2000 Sep;6(3):155-6. doi: 10.1080/mccm.6.3.155.156.

Abstract

We report on a case with desmoid tumor sucessfully treated with low-dose interferon alfa. A desmoid tumor was diagnosed in August 1998 in the right shoulder area of a 23-year-old woman. Surgery would probably have permanently impaired muscle function in her shoulder and arm. Therefore, interferon alfa treatment (0.9 million units twice daily subcutaneously) was started in November 1998 (time = 0). The tumor volume based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was initially 16 cm3. The size of the tumor decreased gradually during 12 months of treatment, and in November 1999 (time = 12 months) MRI showed no clear tumor demarcation. This treatment modality may be considered as an alternative to mutilating surgery in patients with desmoid tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fibromatosis, Aggressive / drug therapy*
  • Fibromatosis, Aggressive / pathology
  • Humans
  • Interferon Type I / therapeutic use*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Shoulder
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Interferon Type I
  • Recombinant Proteins