FAP-related desmoid tumors: a series of 44 patients evaluated in a cancer referral center

Histol Histopathol. 2012 May;27(5):641-9. doi: 10.14670/HH-27.641.

Abstract

Desmoid tumors (DTs), the commonest extra-intestinal manifestation of familial adenomatosis polyposis (FAP), are monoclonal neoplasms demonstrating fibroblastic - myofibroblastic differentiation; they are locally invasive without metastatic capacity. FAP-associated DT natural history knowledge is limited; we examined patient and tumor characteristics for a FAP-DT cohort and evaluated anti-DT therapy molecular target expression levels (immunohistochemical analyses, FAP-DT tissue microarray; TMA). Forty-four patients were classified as intra-abdominal (IA; n=26), abdominal wall (AW)/extra-abdominal (EA; n=12) or concomitant IA/AW (n=6) based on DT primary diagnosis location. Positive family histories were found in 62% of FAP versus 10% of DT patients. Surgery was the mainstay therapy for AW/EW patients, whereas IA DTs received surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, tamoxifen, NSAIDs, and/or imatinib. Eight of 20 completely resected DTs in the IA and AW/EA groups recurred; 12 of 38 patients in these groups (33%) developed secondary lesions elsewhere. Two intestinal mesenteric DT patients died of disease, three from other cancers, 27 are alive with disease and 12 are alive without disease. All evaluable FAP-DT exhibited nuclear β-catenin, 65% were positive for cyclin D1, and 66% expressed nuclear p53. No ERα expression was observed, but ERβ was expressed in 72%. COX2 was expressed in all evaluable FAP-DTs. KIT was rarely found in DTs but both PDGFRs and their ligands were expressed. Comparing biomarker expression (IA vs. EA DTs), only nuclear ER-ß staining was significantly higher in EA lesions (p=0.0070); no other markers were site informative. Enhanced knowledge of FAP-DT molecular underpinnings will facilitate development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Abdominal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Abdominal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / metabolism*
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / pathology*
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / therapy
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cyclin D1 / metabolism
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Estrogen Receptor beta / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fibromatosis, Aggressive / metabolism*
  • Fibromatosis, Aggressive / pathology*
  • Fibromatosis, Aggressive / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / metabolism
  • Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tissue Array Analysis
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism
  • Young Adult
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CCND1 protein, human
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • ESR1 protein, human
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Estrogen Receptor beta
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • TP53 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • beta Catenin
  • Cyclin D1
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • PTGS2 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
  • Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor

Supplementary concepts

  • Desmoid disease, hereditary