These tumors usually produce no symptoms, unless a fracture is involved and usually resolve on their own at skeletal maturity (when bones normally stop growing). They very rarely persist into adulthood and never metastasize (spread). Sometimes, if the tumor weakens the bone, surgery is recommended to treat the condition.

Keep in mind that each child may experience symptoms differently depending on the size and location of the tumor. The symptoms of a non-ossifying fibroma can resemble symptoms of other medical conditions. Always consult your child's doctor for a diagnosis.

• X-rays - a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film. An x-ray alone is usually all that is necessary to diagnose this condition.

• Computerized Tomography scan (also called CT or CAT scan) - a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called slices) both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat and organs. Data obtained from this scan enables doctors to compare the density of the involved bone to the density of the corresponding unaffected bone. Doctors use this information to determine how much the fibroma is weakening the bone. It usually takes 6-8 weeks before data is completely analyzed in a biomechanics laboratory and the results are known. In some instances, this information is helpful in deciding whether surgical treatment is needed.

• your child's age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the disease and the predicted fracture risk
• your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• how your child's physician expects the disease may progress
• your opinion or preference

If an operation is recommended, the procedure of choice is usually curettage and bone grafting.

Curettage is an operation during which the tumor is scraped out of the bone with a special instrument called a curette that has a scoop, loop or ring at its tip.

For this procedure, surgeons make an incision in the bone to create a window. The tumor is completely curetted and the remaining cavity is then packed with donor bone tissue (allograft), bone chips taken from another bone (autograft), or other materials depending on the preference of the surgeon. The patient is usually placed in a cast or brace for six weeks and then can undergo protected weight bearing for another six weeks. It usually takes 3-6 months before a child can return to contact sports.

If a fracture is involved, the operation is put off until the fracture heals with cast immobilization followed by a period observation after it has healed. In major long bones, such as the femur, internal fixation (surgically placed metal rods and pins to fix a broken bone) may be necessary. At times, during the healing process, the tumor may heal as well.