Desmoid tumor study: is doing nothing the best medicine?
NCT ID NCT02547831
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study looked at 100 people with desmoid tumors (a rare, non-cancerous growth) to see what happens when doctors don't treat them right away. Instead, patients were monitored closely with scans, and treatment only started if the tumor grew. The goal was to learn how often these tumors stay stable without treatment, helping guide future care.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that many desmoid tumors do not need immediate treatment, supporting a watch-and-wait approach as standard care.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not testing a new treatment. It may not change practice if many patients still need therapy later.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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100 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jul 2013
- Finished
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Aug 2016
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Patients affected by extra-abdominal primary fibromatosis
- Ages
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Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Sporadic forms * No age limit (pediatric patients can be included) * Extra abdominal fibromatosis primary or with previous inadequate resection (R2) of the extremities, chest/abdominal wall and head/neck * Histological diagnosis according to the WHO criteria done on biopsy or surgical specimen by our pathologist * Diagnostic radiological exam performed (contrast enhanced MRI- T1 and T2 weighted) * Signed informed consent form * Adequate compliance of the patients to the plan of follow-up Exclusion Criteria: * Controindication to MRI * Familial-type desmoid * Recurrence * Extraabdominal primary fibromatosis resected with R0/R1 margins * Patients on treatment for desmoid tumor * Other malignancies within past 5 years, with exception of carcinoma in situ of cervix and basocellular skin cancers treated with eradicating intent * Serious psychiatric disease that precludes informed consent or limits compliance * Medical disease requesting treatment corresponding to one of the drugs currently use in desmoid tumor \[hormonal therapy (e.g., tamoxifen/toremifene, low-dose chemotherapy (e.g., methotrexate and vinorelbine/vinblastine), NSAIDs (e.g., celecoxib), and target therapy (Glivec)\] * Impossibility to ensure adequate follow-up
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Tumori Milano
Milan, 20133, Italy
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Fondazione del Piemonte per l' Oncologia - IRCCS
Candiolo, Torino, 10060, Italy
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