Nodular Fasciitis of the Oral Cavity with Partial Spontaneous Regression (Nodular Fasciitis)

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.