The fibromatoses: a clinicopathological concept.

Adequate treatment of a disease process involves an under- standing of the natural history of the disease. It is, of course, highly desirable that the aetiology should also be known and it is useful if terminology is sensible and universally accepted. Ignorance of aetiology and variability of nomenclature, however, are not bars to successful treatment provided that in any given instance the evolution of a disease is fully understood.