Desmoplasia is the growth of fibrous connective tissue in response to trauma or inflammation. It can be benign or associated with a malignant tumor. Surgical treatments are available to remove the tissue. Adhesions are a common form of desmoplasia that can cause problems with organ function. Patients should not jump to conclusions if a doctor suggests desmoplasia.
Desmoplasia is the growth of fibrous connective tissue in an area of the body where it does not normally appear. This type of tissue growth usually occurs as part of what is known as a desmoplastic reaction, in which the patient’s body develops abnormal tissue in response to trauma. In some cases desmoplasia is benign, while in other cases it can be dangerous or associated with a malignant tumor. In situations where there is cause for concern, a surgeon may be called in to excise or break up the tissue.
A common form of desmoplasia is an adhesion, a tough band of fibrous tissue that develops in the abdomen after certain surgeries and in response to chronic inflammation. Adhesions can become a problem, as they can interfere with organ function and can lead to situations such as strictures, where the intestines and other structures are compressed by desmoplasia and the patient develops a disorder such as intestinal obstruction. Surgical treatments are available to remove the tissue, and mesh can be implanted to prevent new adhesions from forming after surgery.
Some malignancies can trigger a desmoplastic reaction, causing fibrous tissue to build up around or near a tumor as the body responds to inflammation associated with uncontrolled cell growth. This tissue can either be removed during surgery to remove the tumor or left in place, depending on the tumor and the patient. It can also form during cancer treatment, as patients are treated with chemotherapy and radiation, as inflammation is associated with many cancer treatments.
Sometimes benign desmoplastic growths develop in patients, particularly around the bone. A pathologist may be asked to examine a sample to determine its origins and see if it is likely to spread. If the growth is harmless, a wait-and-see approach is usually recommended; the growth may need to be removed if it grows unusually large, but if not, the patient should be able to live comfortably with desmoplasia.
When a doctor suggests that a growth may be desmoplasia or a desmoplastic reaction, this isn’t necessarily a cause for panic. Fibrous tissue can develop under a variety of circumstances and more information is needed to determine if it is harmful and what would be the best approach to treatment. While such growths may be associated with tumors, this is not always the case and patients should not jump to conclusions.
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