Desmoplasia

-plasia and -trophy
  • Abiotrophy (loss in vitality of organ or tissue)
  • Atrophy (reduced functionality of an organ, with decrease in the number or volume of cells)
  • Hypertrophy (increase in the volume of cells or tissues)
  • Hypotrophy (decrease in the volume of cells or tissues)
  • Dystrophy (any degenerative disorder resulting from improper or faulty nutrition)
Desmoplastic small round cell tumour, with desmoplasia surrounding nests of cancer cells.

In medicine, desmoplasia is the growth of fibrous connective tissue.[1] It is also called a desmoplastic reaction to emphasize that it is secondary to an insult. Desmoplasia may occur around a neoplasm, causing dense fibrosis around the tumor,[1] or scar tissue (adhesions) within the abdomen after abdominal surgery.[1]

Desmoplasia is usually only associated with malignant neoplasms, which can evoke a fibrotic response invading healthy tissue. Invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast often have a stellate appearance caused by desmoplastic formations.

  1. ^ a b c "Definition of Desmoplasia". MedicineNet. March 19, 2012. Archived from the original on August 6, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2009.