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

This image is best viewed in association with the image labelled dermal fibroblasts 10X.Gif.
Notice that in contrast to the normal dermal collagen, there are relatively few mature, wavy, homogeneously eosinophilic staining collegen bundles in this field.
Normal dermal collagen will contain relatively few nuclei in a field of this size.
In the desmoid tumor, however, this particular field can be seen to contain an multitude of nuclei which are considerably larger than those of resting fibroblasts.
The size of the nuclei, as well as the cellularity of this field reflects the level of activity of this lesion.
There is some controversy whether this lesion represents a true neoplasm or an over-reactive reparative response to injury.
(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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