Nodular fasciitis of the oral cavity with partial spontaneous regression (nodular fasciitis)

Head Neck Pathol. 2013 Mar;7(1):69-72. doi: 10.1007/s12105-012-0390-3. Epub 2012 Aug 11.

Abstract

Nodular fasciitis is a lesion found in the subcutaneous fascia that micoscopically presents as a benign proliferation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, which may be mistaken for a sarcoma due to clinically rapid growth. Diagnosis is by histopathology and of the immunohistochemical profile. We describe a case of nodular fasciitis in the oral cavity that demonstrated partial spontaneous regression. The patient was a 32-year-old man with a buccal mucosal mass, which had grown rapidly for 45 days. On microscopic examination, the lesion displayed a well-delineated but not encapsulated proliferation of spindle cells, with a nodular growth pattern. Immunohistochemical analysis showed positivity of the spindle cells for the antibodies against smooth muscle actin and muscle-specific actin (HHF-35). Treatment of such lesions typically involves complete conservative excision, but the lesion may regress eventually in the absence of definitive treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Fasciitis / metabolism
  • Fasciitis / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mouth / pathology*
  • Mouth Diseases / metabolism
  • Mouth Diseases / pathology*
  • Remission, Spontaneous*