Retroperitoneal Fibromatosis

Abstract

Fibrous tumors and tumorlike lesions consist of a large group of clinical diseases with different natures and biological behaviors. Some are benign and rarely relapse, even if they are not completely removed; others are ill-defined, infiltrating the surrounding tissue, and tends to recur even if large-scale removal is performed. Some typical malignant tumors have high recurrent and metastatic rates. According to clinical and pathological features, these tumors can be classified into four categories: (a) benign fibromatosis, (b) fibromatosis, (c) fibrosarcoma, and (d) fibrosis in children and babies. Fibromatosis is divided into abdominal fibromatosis (or abdominal desmoid) and extra-abdominal fibromatosis. The former consists of abdominal wall and intra-abdominal fibromatosis. Intra-abdominal fibromatosis includes pelvic fibromatosis, mesenteric fibromatosis, and mesenteric fibromatosis in Gardner’s syndrome. Strictly speaking, mesenteric fibromatosis should be classified into retroperitoneal fibromatosis. Additionally, there are some types of fibromatosis that really arise in retroperitoneum. Therefore, mesenteric and retroperitoneal fibromatosis is collectively discussed in this chapter.