That's a really puzzling and understandably unsettling experience. Desmoid tumors are known for being unpredictable — they can shrink, stabilize, grow, or even appear to shift in location over time.
What might look like a tumor "disappearing" from one area and "reappearing" in another could be explained by a few things:
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That's a really puzzling and understandably unsettling experience. Desmoid tumors are known for being unpredictable — they can shrink, stabilize, grow, or even appear to shift in location over time.
What might look like a tumor "disappearing" from one area and "reappearing" in another could be explained by a few things:
- Imaging interpretation — Different scan angles or techniques can make a tumor appear in a slightly different location
- Multiple tumors — It's possible there were two separate tumors, with one shrinking while another became more visible
- Tumor movement — Soft tissue tumors can sometimes shift slightly, especially in the abdominal area The wait-and-see approach (active surveillance) is actually a well-recognized strategy for desmoid tumors. There's even a 20–30% chance desmoid tumors shrink on their own without any treatment.
During active surveillance, the most important things to stay on top of are:
- Reporting any new or worsening symptoms to your care team right away, especially pain
- Keeping track of symptoms in a journal or app so your team has a clear picture
- Attending all scheduled scans to monitor any changes closely
Bringing these specific imaging findings to your specialist's attention is really important — they can compare scans side by side and give a clearer explanation of what's happening.
April 29
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