Overview
Nodular fasciitis is a benign (non-cancerous) growth that forms in the soft tissue just beneath the skin or within the deeper layers of muscle. It is sometimes called pseudosarcomatous fasciitis or infiltrative fasciitis because, under a microscope, it can look similar to a cancerous tumor — but it is not cancer. The condition involves a rapid overgrowth of cells called fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, which are the cells responsible for healing and making connective tissue. Most people notice a lump that grows quickly over a few weeks, which can be alarming, but nodular fasciitis is almost always harmless and does not spread to other parts of the body. The lump most often appears on the forearm, upper arm, or trunk, though it can develop almost anywhere on the body. It is usually small — less than 5 centimeters — and may feel tender or slightly painful when touched. The cause is now understood to involve a specific gene rearrangement involving the USP6 gene, which triggers the rapid cell growth. This is not inherited from parents and is not passed on to children. Treatment is usually straightforward. In many cases, the lump shrinks and disappears on its own within a few months without any treatment. When treatment is needed, surgical removal of the lump is highly effective and almost always curative. Recurrence after surgery is very rare. The overall outlook for people with nodular fasciitis is excellent.
Key symptoms:
A firm, rubbery lump under the skin that grows quicklyTenderness or mild pain when the lump is touchedLump most commonly on the forearm, upper arm, chest, or backLump is usually small, less than 5 centimeters acrossThe lump may feel attached to deeper tissueSwelling in the area around the lumpOccasional restriction of movement if the lump is near a joint
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventWashington University School of Medicine — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Nodular fasciitis.
1 clinical trialare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Nodular fasciitis.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Nodular fasciitis.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
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Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is this definitely nodular fasciitis and not a cancerous tumor — has the USP6 gene test been done to confirm?,Do I need surgery, or is it safe to wait and see if the lump goes away on its own?,How quickly should I expect the lump to shrink if we choose to watch and wait?,What are the chances the lump will come back after surgery?,Are there any activity restrictions I should follow while the lump is present or after surgery?,Should I see a specialist pathologist or soft tissue expert to confirm the diagnosis?,What symptoms should prompt me to come back sooner for a check-up?
Common questions about Nodular fasciitis
What is Nodular fasciitis?
Nodular fasciitis is a benign (non-cancerous) growth that forms in the soft tissue just beneath the skin or within the deeper layers of muscle. It is sometimes called pseudosarcomatous fasciitis or infiltrative fasciitis because, under a microscope, it can look similar to a cancerous tumor — but it is not cancer. The condition involves a rapid overgrowth of cells called fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, which are the cells responsible for healing and making connective tissue. Most people notice a lump that grows quickly over a few weeks, which can be alarming, but nodular fasciitis is almost alw
How is Nodular fasciitis inherited?
Nodular fasciitis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Nodular fasciitis?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Nodular fasciitis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.