Desmoid Tumors in Children vs Adults

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07/04/23

James Cassidy, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer at SpringWorks Therapeutics, discusses how Desmoid tumors affect children compared to adults.

Desmoid tumors are benign tumors that can grow anywhere on the body into surrounding healthy tissues, including joints, muscle, and viscera. These rare tumors can cause significant pain, internal bleeding, and reduced mobility. Unlike typical cancers, these tumors do not metastasize, though they are locally aggressive.

As Dr. Cassidy explains, the tumors themselves as well as their presentation are similar regardless of age. The average age of onset for this disease is 30-40 years and, in adulthood, it predominantly affects women. But it can also occur in children, although no sex difference is observed. Since recurrence is common in Desmoid tumors and children start treatment at an earlier age, there is higher chance of having multiple rounds of recurrence in their lives. With each recurrence, there is also the increased likelihood the tumors will be more aggressive.

For more information about Desmoid and other rare tumors, visit checkrare.com/cancers/