Desmoid-type fibromatosis of the mesentery: report of a sporadic case with emphasis on differential diagnostic problems.

Desmoid-type fibromatosis is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm with local aggressiveness. The incidence of desmoid-type fibromatosis is 2-5/million/year with intra-abdominal fibromatosis, such as that which is reported in this clinical case, occurring only in 12-18% of cases. After having analyzed the pathogenetic hypotheses of desmoid-type fibromatosis, the authors point out that the diagnosis of this disease, especially in the intra-abdominal form, is often late, specifically when highly demolitive interventions are needed or when the limits of radical surgery have been exceeded.