Aggressive angiomyxoma: multimodality treatments can avoid mutilating surgery

Aims Aggressive angiomyxoma is a soft-tissue tumour of the pelvi-perineum. The recurrence rate is high, and often extensive resections are performed with considerable morbidity. In search of alternative treatment methods we present our experience in seven patients. Methods The medical charts of seven patients treated in the last 20 years were reviewed. Follow-up data were obtained. In addition, a literature review from 1994 to 2004 regarding treatment and clinical outcome was performed. Results All patients were female, and three were pregnant at the time of diagnosis. All patients underwent primary surgical treatment. In five patients the surgical margins were involved; one patient received adjuvant radiotherapy treatment. Three patients experienced a total of four recurrences after 2–10 years. These patients were treated with selective embolisation or surgery. At present all patients are disease-free, with follow-up ranging from 2 to 20 years after last treatment. Conclusion Radical surgery does not seem to lead to a significant lower recurrence rate of aggressive angiomyxoma when compared to incomplete resection (R1), with or without radiotherapy or arterial embolisation. This casts doubt on the necessity of extensive surgery, especially in cases where an extensive surgical procedure will lead to great morbidity.