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A desmoid tumor is a rare tumor that grows in the body’s connective tissue. These types of tumors are noncancerous, but they can cause significant pain and disrupt your life — especially in a location like the foot.
Fortunately, several treatment options are available for desmoid tumor in the foot. Here’s what to know about this particularly uncommon type of desmoid tumor.
Desmoid tumor develops in connective tissue, the tissue that connects and supports the body’s organs, bones, muscles, and ligaments. This type of tumor is composed of fibroblast cells, which form connective tissue and support wound healing.
Desmoid tumor usually develops as a single tumor, but it’s possible to experience several at once. They are locally aggressive tumors, meaning they can spread into nearby tissues. They do not spread to distant areas of the body like cancerous tumors do. A desmoid tumor may grow slowly or quickly and tends to be more serious when it grows quickly.
Desmoid tumor is a very rare condition. Each year, about 2 to 4 people per million are diagnosed worldwide. Desmoid tumors can occur anywhere in the body. More common locations for desmoid tumors include the extremities and superficial abdominal wall. Rarely, desmoid tumors can form in the foot.
Many people with desmoid tumor do not experience symptoms. However, once the tumor starts to grow and invade nearby tissues, it can cause the following symptoms.
Pain is the most common symptom of desmoid tumor. Desmoid tumors are solid masses that press on nearby tissues, causing significant pain. Desmoid tumor in the foot may cause pain while walking or wearing shoes.
As a desmoid tumor grows, it can cause swelling in the foot. You may find that it feels uncomfortable to wear shoes. The tumor area will likely appear inflamed and red.
Having a painful tumor in your foot will likely affect your ability to walk and move around independently. You may notice that you need to limp or hop on your other foot.
The pain from desmoid tumor in the foot may affect your ability to fall and stay asleep.
See your healthcare provider if you develop any signs or symptoms of desmoid tumor. These tumors are very rare, and it is critical to see a specialist for an accurate diagnosis. See a sarcoma specialist, an oncologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of connective tissue tumors. Obtaining an accurate desmoid tumor diagnosis can be challenging and may take time.
When you see your healthcare provider, they will likely begin the diagnostic process with a physical exam and a review of your medical history. When they detect a tumor or growth in your foot, they will order an imaging test to visualize it. They may recommend an X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound. An MRI is usually necessary to detect desmoid tumor in the foot.
An imaging study, like a CT scan or MRI, can detect a tumor but cannot be used to officially diagnose the type of tumor. To diagnose desmoid tumor, your provider may recommend a biopsy to examine a sample of the tumor’s tissue under a microscope.
Treatment options are available for desmoid tumor. A cure may not be possible because desmoid tumors have a high rate of recurrence after surgery. As a result, surgery has become less favored as a treatment approach. Fortunately, treatments are available to shrink the tumor and improve symptoms.
Treatment options for desmoid tumor include:
If your tumor is not causing discomfort or other symptoms, your healthcare team may recommend monitoring it without beginning medical treatment. Many desmoid tumors are slow growing, and some even shrink on their own.
Your healthcare team may recommend regular medical appointments and imaging tests to watch the tumor and confirm that it is not growing or spreading. If you notice increased pain, swelling, or other symptoms during active surveillance, tell your healthcare provider right away. Symptoms could be a sign of tumor growth and need to be treated.
Surgery is not routinely recommended for the treatment of desmoid tumors as recurrence rates are high after surgery. Rarely, surgery may be recommended. If you do undergo surgery, your surgeon will recommend regular follow-up care to monitor for signs of recurrence.
Targeted therapies are an effective treatment option for desmoid tumors. These treatments target and attack specific proteins on tumor cells. Targeted therapies may prevent tumor cells from multiplying, keeping the tumor from growing.
Chemotherapy uses drugs that kill fast-growing cells in the body. It can be used for the treatment of desmoid tumors. Your healthcare team may recommend chemotherapy to control or shrink your desmoid tumor.
Radiation therapy can control, and possibly shrink, a desmoid tumor by using high-energy beams to kill tumor cells. It’s rarely used for treating desmoid tumors.
Ablation therapy refers to minimally invasive treatments that can shrink or destroy a tumor. Examples include cryoablation (freezing), radiofrequency (heat), and ultrasound. Research shows that cryoablation may be an effective treatment option for desmoid tumors, but further studies are needed.
When you are diagnosed with desmoid tumor, your healthcare team will discuss your prognosis, which depends on several factors, including your age, the location of the tumor, how advanced it is, and your overall health.
In many cases, a desmoid tumor does not shorten your lifespan, but it can impact your quality of life. Research shows that desmoid tumors can cause chronic pain, which increases your risk of anxiety and depression over time. Treatment options are available to improve your pain, so talk with your healthcare provider if your pain is uncontrolled. Consider meeting with a therapist or support group to receive emotional support and learn coping skills.
On MyDesmoidTumorTeam, people share their experiences with desmoid tumors, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Have you experienced any symptoms of desmoid tumor in your foot? Let others know in the comments below.
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