Desmoplastic Fibroma of the Mandible in a 10-Year-Old Female Patient: A Case Report

Desmoplastic fibroma (DF) is an extremely rare benign intraosseous tumor of mesenchymal origin that exhibits locally aggressive behavior with a high recurrence rate. Although mainly affecting patients between the second and third decades of life, it rarely involves the jaw bones, with the mandible being the most affected. Complete surgical removal of DF may require curettage or resection of the surrounding bone to prevent recurrence. This article reports the case of a 10-year-old girl who was referred to our department by a dentist for the evaluation of a painless swelling at the left angle of the mandible. Following radiographic examination (orthopantomogram and CT scan) and incisional biopsy, the patient was successfully submitted to tumor excision and curettage of the adjacent mandibular bone. Complete osseous healing was confirmed on the patient's follow-up examination one year postoperatively. Although DF of the jaws represents a diagnostic (mimicking a variety of fibro-osseous lesions) and therapeutic (due to its locally aggressive behavior) challenge, early detection, corroborated by histopathological examination, along with prompt surgical removal within clear margins, may ensure minimal recurrence.