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Low power view of an abdominal desmoid
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Low power view of an abdominal desmoid

A low power view of a desmoid tumor from the abdominal wall.
This image is best viewed together with that of normal dermal collagen of the same magnification.
In normal collagen, one would find large expanses of homogeneously eosinophilic staining collagen, with relatively few nuclei at this power.
In contrast, this image of desmoid tumor reveals extensive cellularity, as seen by the numerous purple dots in this field.
The cellularity of indicative of an actively growing lesion.
There is some controversy whether desmoid tumors represent true tumors or an over-reactive reparative response.
(Description By:T.V.Rajan, M.D. )
(Image Contrib. by:T.V.Rajan, M.D. UCHC )
Desmoid
Etiology

Unknown.
Pathogenesis

The lesion represents an intermediate between a reparative lesion and a true malignancy.,
Epidemiology

The intra-abdominal variety is associated with pregnancy.
The extra-abdominal variety is seen equally in men and women.
The tumor is common in patients with Gardner's syndrome, a disease associated with a diverse array of neoplastic lesions, including colonic polyps, osteomas and epidermal inclusion cysts.
General Gross Description

Also known as aggressive fibromatosis.
Lesions characterized by tan-white, poorly demarcated masses.
They are rubbery, firm and blend into the surrounding tissue.
General Microscopic Description

Histologically characterized by active fibroblasts within a dense collagenous matrix.
Mitotic activity is not frequent.
Fragments of skeletal muscle cells can be seen embedded within the tumor.
Clinical Correlation

Desmoids are treated by surgical excision.
Although locally invasive, they rarely metastasize.
References

Cotran RS, Kumar V, Robbins SL: Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. 5th edition. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1994, pp. 90, 1265.
Desmoid
Synopsis by: T.V. Rajan M.D. Ph.D. (T1X000M88211)[84]
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