Large intra-abdominal desmoid tumour posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, a case report

We present the case of a 46-year-old gentleman originally from China who presented to the acute surgical assessment unit complaining of upper abdominal discomfort, dyspepsia and early satiety ongoing for the previous 6 months. On exam he had a palpable mass in the left upper quadrant. He underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy which was normal and later received a CT abdomen which identified a well-circumscribed soft tissue mass in the mesenteric fat and lying adjacent to the transverse colon with no obvious cleavage plane between them. Colonoscopy was then performed which was normal. After discussion at MDT he was taken for laparotomy. At laparotomy the mass was found to be adherent to major vessels, small bowel and large bowel necessitating an extended right hemicolectomy and small bowel resection. The mass itself could not be completely excised. Histology from the resected specimen confirmed desmoid tumour.