Nodular fasciitis, a forgotten entity
Amalia Luna1, Leisa Molinari1, Luis A Bollea Garlatti1
1Department of Dermatology, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
International Journal of Dermatology
|September 8, 2018
Summary
Nodular fasciitis, a benign tumor, can be mistaken for sarcoma due to its rapid growth and cellularity. Early recognition by dermatologists is crucial to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments.
Area of Science:
- Dermatopathology
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Nodular fasciitis is a benign, reactive soft tissue proliferation.
- It presents as a rapidly growing, solitary tumor.
- Histologically, it mimics malignant sarcomas due to high cellularity and mitotic activity.
Observation:
- Four cases of nodular fasciitis are presented.
- Literature review on nodular fasciitis is included.
- Cases were initially misdiagnosed as various sarcomas, including dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, atypical fibroxanthoma, and leiomyosarcoma.
Findings:
- Nodular fasciitis is a significant differential diagnosis in soft tissue tumors.
- Misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate surgical interventions and patient anxiety.
- Accurate histopathological evaluation is essential for correct diagnosis.
Implications:
- Increased awareness among dermatologists is vital for prompt and accurate diagnosis.
- Avoiding misdiagnosis prevents unnecessary morbidity associated with aggressive treatments.
- Distinguishing nodular fasciitis from sarcoma ensures appropriate patient management and outcomes.
