Efficacy of vinorelbine combined with low-dose methotrexate for treatment of inoperable desmoid tumor and prognostic factor analysis.

objectiveTo assess the efficacy of conservative chemotherapy for inoperable desmoid tumor (DT) and analyze the prognostic factors.

methodsFrom November 2008 to April 2016, 71 patients of inoperable DT were treated with vinorelbine and low-dose methotrexate in the Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, and enrolled in this retrospective study. The chemotherapy duration is one year. The efficacy of chemotherapy and the prognosis were observed.

resultsOf the 71 patients, 55% were female. Age of onset varied from 1 to 47 years, and the median age was 14 years. Only 11 (15.5%) cases suffered primary tumor. The distribution of the site of tumors was: 31 (43.7%) in the trunk, 36 (50.7%) in the limbs, and 4 (5.6%) in the peritoneal and pelvic cavity. The size of tumor (the maximum diameter) differed from 2 to 37 cm with a mean of 9.3 cm. The median follow-up duration was 28 (range, 6-87) months. Common side effects included: nausea and vomiting, liver injury, bone marrow suppression and oral ulcers. When the chemotherapy finished, 1 (1.4%) case achieved complete response, 24 (33.8%) achieved partial response, 37 (52.1%) achieved stable disease and 9 (12.7%) had progressive disease. The overall response rate was 87.3%. The progression-free survival (PFS) of the participants were from 6 to 87 months, and the 2-, 3- and 5-year PFS was 79.9%, 68.4% and 36.3%, respectively. No significant difference was identified in PFS in subgroups of gender, age of onset, age of chemotherapy, tumor site and tumor size.

conclusionsFor recurrent, inoperable and progressive DT, enough course of chemotherapy with vinorelbine combined with low-dose methotrexate was an optional choice for local control.