Successful treatment of an extra-abdominal fibromatosis (desmoid tumor) arising from the prevertebral fascia of the neck

We describe the successful treatment of a fibromatosis (desmoid tumor) arising from the prevertebral fascia of the neck. Total resection with wide margins is reportedly the best treatment for this kind of tumor. However, the anatomy of the head and neck makes such resection difficult. In this case, we were unable to completely remove the tumor because it was large and located close to the cervical vertebrae, common carotid artery and internal jugular vein. Incomplete resection is known to result in higher tumor recurrence than complete resection. In addition, the recurrence or progression of a tumor in the head or neck region is known to cause mortality by compression of the airway or major blood vessels. On the basis of reports that irradiation is effective treatment for this kind of tumor, we administered 30-Gy irradiation to the affected area. This therapy was very effective and no sign of recurrence was seen for 2 years after irradiation. We found that function-sparing resection plus postoperative radiotherapy is an effective treatment for advanced fibromatosis in the head and neck regions with proximity to or involvement with vital structures.