Print OverviewDesmoplastic (des-moe-PLAS-tik) small round cell tumors (DSRCT) are a type of cancer that often begins in the abdomen. Sometimes this type of cancer can occur in other parts of the body. Desmoplastic small round cell tumors are rare cancers that begin as a growth of cells. The growths often form on the tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen and pelvis. This tissue lining is called the peritoneum. The cancer cells can quickly spread to other nearby organs. This might include the bladder, colon and liver. Desmoplastic small round cell tumors can happen to anyone, but they're more common in young men and boys. Treatment for desmoplastic small round cell tumors typically involves a combination of treatments. Options might include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Desmoplastic small round cell tumors are a type of soft tissue sarcoma. Soft tissue sarcoma is a term used to describe a large group of cancers that all start in the tissues that connect, support and surround other body structures.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th EditionNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsDesmoplastic small round cell tumor symptoms vary depending on where the cancer begins. Most often it begins in the abdomen. Signs and symptoms of desmoplastic small round cell tumors in the abdomen include: Swelling of the abdomen Abdominal pain Constipation Difficulty urinating When to see a doctorMake an appointment with your health care provider if you have any persistent signs and symptoms that worry you. Request an appointment CausesIt's not clear what causes desmoplastic small round cell tumors. Doctors know that cancer begins when a cell develops changes in its DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. The changes tell the cell to multiply quickly. This creates a clump of cancer cells called a tumor. The cancer cells can invade and destroy healthy body tissue. In time, the cancer cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body. By Mayo Clinic Staff Desmoplastic small round cell tumors care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment June 01, 2022 Print Living with desmoplastic small round cell tumors? Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Proton Beam Therapy support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, a patient community. Proton Beam Therapy Discussions Starting Proton Treatments for Prostate Cancer: Any experiences? 100 Replies Sat, Sep 30, 2023 chevron-right Anyone had Proton Beam Therapy for Meningioma? 13 Replies Sun, Sep 03, 2023 chevron-right What's the difference between proton vs traditional radiation? 39 Replies Sat, Aug 19, 2023 chevron-right See more discussions Show references Goldblum JR, et al. Other malignant soft tissue tumors, including those of uncertain type. In: Enzinger and Weiss's Soft Tissue Tumors. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 29, 2022. Al-Ibraheemi A, et al. Desmoplastic small round cell tumors with atypical presentations: A report of 34 cases. International Journal of Surgical Pathology. 2019; doi:10.1177/10668969188171. Mora J, et al. Desmoplastic small round cell tumor 20 years after its discovery. Future Oncology. 2015; doi:10.2217/FON.15.32. Desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCT). National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/pediatric-adult-rare-tumor/rare-tumors/rare-soft-tissue-tumors/desmoplastic-small-round-cell-tumors. Accessed April 29, 2022. Subbiah V, et al. Multimodality treatment of desmoplastic small round cell tumor: Chemotherapy and complete cytoreducetive surgery improve patient survival. Clinical Cancer Research. 2018; doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-18-0202. Chicago Consensus Working Group. The Chicago consensus of peritoneal surface malignancies: Management of desmoplastic small round cell tumor, breast and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Cancer. 2020; doi:10.1002/cncr.32856. Related Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Desmoplastic small round cell tumorsSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departmentsCare atMayoClinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 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