"Bone in the penis" or fasciitis ossificans of the penis - a first time description of a pseudo-tumor at an extraordinary site

Abstract

Background: Fasciitis ossificans is a rare subtype of nodular fasciitis, a benign soft tissue tumor with reactive characteristics. Due to its rapid growth, it is often misdiagnosed as a malignant tumor. While fasciitis ossificans commonly originates from the subcutaneous tissue and can appear throughout the body, it may also arise from extraordinary sites.

Case presentation: We report the first-ever documented case of fasciitis ossificans arising from the penis in a male patient who presented with a tumor on the glans penis. The tumor was surgically resected due to suspicion of penile cancer. Initial histopathological analysis led to a misdiagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. However, pathological consultation ultimately confirmed the diagnosis of fasciitis ossificans of the penis originating from the glans penis by demonstrating ossification.

Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of considering fasciitis ossificans in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors, even in unusual locations such as penile soft tissue.

Keywords: Fasciitis ossificans; Penile cancer; Penile ossification.