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- $Unique_ID{BRK03741}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Fibromatosis, Congenital Generalized}
- $Subject{Fibromatosis Congenital Generalized CGF Myofibromatosis Desmoid Tumor
- Congenital Fibrosarcoma Gardner's Syndrome Neurofibromatosis}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1990 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
-
- 753
- Fibromatosis, Congenital Generalized
-
- ** IMPORTANT **
- It is possible that the main title of the article (Congenital,
- Generalized Fibromatosis) is not the name you expected. Please check the
- SYNONYM listing to find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered
- by this article.
-
- Synonyms
-
- CGF
- Myofibromatosis
- Desmoid Tumor
-
- Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
- Disorders section of this report:
-
- Congenital Fibrosarcoma
- Gardner's Syndrome
- Neurofibromatosis
-
- General Discussion
-
- ** REMINDER **
- The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
- educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
- purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
- contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
- section of this report.
-
- Congenital Generalized Fibromatosis is a rare disorder characterized by
- multiple noncancerous tumors. It is an invasive and recurring disorder that
- can involve the bones, internal organs, skin and muscles. These tumors are
- usually present at, or may occur within a few months of birth.
-
- Symptoms
-
- Congenital Generalized Fibromatosis is a progressive congenital disorder that
- is characterized by benign tumors of the bones, internal organs, skin or
- muscles. The tumors can range from 3 cm. to 18cm. in size, and very often do
- not cause symptoms. Soft tissue and bony tumors will sometimes resolve
- without treatment. If the abdominal cavity or chest are involved, the tumors
- may cause an obstruction of the intestinal tract, constipation, diarrhea or
- respiratory difficulties.
-
- Although these types of tumors are not malignant, they can be disabling
- or life-threatening due to their locally invasive and recurring
- characteristics.
-
- Causes
-
- The exact cause of Congenital Generalized Fibromatosis is unknown. Some
- scientists believe it may be inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.
- Human traits, including the classic genetic diseases, are the product of the
- interaction of two genes, one received from the father and one from the
- mother. In recessive disorders, the condition does not appear unless a
- person inherits the same defective gene for the same trait from each parent.
- If a person receives one normal gene and one gene for the disease, the person
- will be a carrier for the disease, but usually will show no symptoms. The
- risk of transmitting the disease to the children of a couple, both of whom
- are carriers for a recessive disorder, is twenty-five percent. Fifty percent
- of their children will be carriers, but healthy as described above. Twenty-
- five percent of their children will receive both normal genes, one from each
- parent, and will be genetically normal.
-
- Affected Population
-
- Congenital Generalized Fibromatosis is a rare disorder that affects newborn
- males and females in equal numbers.
-
- Related Disorders
-
- Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Congenital,
- Generalized Fibromatosis. Comparisons may be useful for a differential
- diagnosis:
-
- Congenital Fibrosarcoma is a rare, highly malignant bone tumor formed
- from the cells of connective fibrous tissue (fibroblasts). It usually occurs
- between the ages of 10 and 20, but can occur at any age.
-
- Gardner's Syndrome is a hereditary condition characterized by multiple
- benign growths on the mucous lining of the colon, bony tumors of the skull,
- fatty cysts in the skin, and extra teeth. Patients with Gardner Syndrome
- have a high probability of developing cancer during their middle years. (For
- more information on this disorder, choose "Gardener" as your search term in
- the Rare Disease Database.)
-
- Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disorder with highly variable
- manifestations which can affect many body systems. There are two different
- types; NF I and NF II. Onset is usually during childhood. The disease tends
- to become more active at puberty, during pregnancy, and at menopause. NF is
- characterized by multiple benign tumors on the nerves under the skin which
- can result in disfigurement, curvature of the spine and long bones, and other
- complications. NF II includes acoustic neuroma which can cause deafness.
- (For more information on this disorder, choose "Neurofibromatosis" as your
- search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
-
- Therapies: Standard
-
- Treatment of Congenital Generalized Fibromatosis usually consists of surgical
- removal of the tumor. Chemotherapeutic drugs such as vincristine,
- actinomycin D and cyclophosamide (VAC) may be prescribed alone or in
- conjunction with radiation therapy and surgery. Some tumors may disappear
- without treatment, but they should be closely followed by a physician.
- Genetic counseling may be of benefit for patients and their families. Other
- treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
-
- Therapies: Investigational
-
- At the present time, a study is being conducted on the effectiveness of the
- drug tamoxifen in treating certain types of Fibromatosis. More research must
- be conducted to determine long-term safety and effectiveness of this drug.
-
- This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
- July 1990. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
- every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
- Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
- current information about this disorder.
-
- Resources
-
- For more information on Congenital Generalized Fibromatosis, please contact:
-
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
- P.O. Box 8923
- New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
- (203) 746-6518
-
- The Laura S. Nye Research Fund for Desmoid Tumors
- c/o Dr. David Fromm
- Harper Hospital
- 3390 John Rd.
- Detroit, MI 48201
-
- American Cancer Society
- 1599 Clifton Rd., NE
- Atlanta, GA 30329
- (404) 320-3333
-
- NIH/National Cancer Institute
- 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg. 31, Rm. 1A2A
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- 1-800-4-CANCER
-
- The National Cancer Institute has developed PDQ (Physicians Data Query),
- a computerized database designed to give the public, patients, and
- families, and health professionals quick and easy access to many types of
- information vital to patients with tumors. To gain access to this service,
- call:
- Cancer Information Service (CIS)
- 1-800-4-CANCER
- In Washington, DC and suburbs in Maryland and Virginia, 636-5700
- In Alaska, 1-800-638-6070
- In Oahu, Hawaii, (808) 524-1234 (Neighbor Islands call collect)
-
- For genetic information and genetic counseling referrals:
-
- March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
- 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
- White Plains, NY 10605
- (914) 428-7100
-
- Alliance of Genetic Support Groups
- 35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 440
- Chevy Chase, MD 20815
- (800) 336-GENE
- (301) 652-5553
-
- References
-
- MENDELIAN INHERITANCE IN MAN, 8th ed.: Victor A. McKusick; Johns Hopkins
- University Press, 1986. Pp. 935.
-
- CHALLENGES IN THE TREATMENT OF CHILDHOOD FIBROMATOSIS. B. Rao, et al.;
- ARCH SURG (November 1987; issue 122 (11)). Pp. 1296-1298.
-
- NONSURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH RECURRENT OR UNRESECTABLE
- FIBROMATOSIS. B. Raney, et al.; PEDIATRICS (March 1987; issue 79(3)). Pp.
- 394-398.
-
- INFANTILE (DESMOID TYPE) FIBROMATOSIS WITH EXTENSIVE OSSIFICATION. F.
- Fromowitz, et al.; AM J SURG PATHOL (January 1987; issue 11(1)). Pp. 66-75.
-
- CONGENITAL MULTIPLE FIBROMATOSIS (INFANTILE MYOFIBROMATOSIS). L.
- Burgess, et al.; ARCH OTOLARYNGOL HEAD NECK SURG (February 1988; issue 114
- (2)). Pp. 207-209.
-
- REMISSION OF RAPIDLY GROWING DESMOID TUMORS AFTER TAMOXIFEN THERAPY. B.
- Ritter, et al.; CANCER (December 15, 1983; issue 52 (12)). Pp. 2201-2204.
-
-