aggressive fibromatosis
(uh-GREH-siv FY-broh-muh-TOH-sis)
A rare type of soft tissue tumor that forms in fibrous connective tissue of the body, usually in the abdomen, head and neck, shoulders, upper arms, and thighs. Aggressive fibromatoses are intermediate tumors, meaning they can grow into and damage nearby tissue (locally aggressive) but do not spread to other parts of the body. They are painful, difficult to completely remove with surgery, and often come back after surgery. Aggressive fibromatoses occur in adults and children. Also called desmoid tumor and desmoid-type fibromatosis.