Fibrous DysplasiaSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Fibrous Dysplasia
Fibrous dysplasia is a bone disease that destroys and replaces normal bone with fibrous bone tissue. One or more bones can be affected.
Inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia; Idiopathic fibrous hyperplasia; McCune-Albright syndrome
Fibrous dysplasia usually occurs in childhood. Most people have symptoms by the time they are 30 years old. The disease occurs more often in females.
Fibrous dysplasia is linked to a problem with a specific gene that control bone-producing cells. The problem occurs when a baby is developing in the womb. The condition is not passed from parent to child.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Bone pain
- Bone sores (lesions)
- Hormone (endocrine gland) problems
- Fractures or bone deformities
- Unusual skin color (pigmentation), which occurs with McCune-Albright syndrome
The bone lesions may stop when the child reaches puberty.
There is no cure for fibrous dysplasia. Bone fractures or deformities are treated as needed. Hormone problems will need to be treated.
Endocrinology Clinic At Parnassus
Dr. Edward Hsiao is an endocrinologist who specializes in metabolic bone diseases, such as severe osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta, and other bone disorders. He also cares for patients with calcium, phosphorous, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone disorders. He has particular interests in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (a condition in which bone gradually replaces muscle and other connective tissues) and fibrous dysplasia/McCune-Albright syndrome (a disorder that causes fibrous tissue to develop in bones). E. Hsiao's current research interests center on understanding how hormones and signaling pathways control human bone formation. His laboratory uses advanced cellular, genetic, and bioengineering tools to identify key pathways that could be targeted for disease therapies. He is also involved in clinical research to develop better diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients with bone diseases. E. Hsiao earned his medical degree and a doctorate in molecular biology and genetics from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he also completed a residency in internal medicine. He completed fellowship training in diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism at UCSF. E. Hsiao is a member of the Endocrine Society and American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. In addition, he actively works with patient support groups through the Fibrous Dysplasia Foundation and International Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva Association, and the International Clinical Council on FOP. E. Hsiao serves as director of UCSF's fellowship program in diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism. He has received the March of Dimes Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Award and the Doris Duke Clinical Scientist Development Award, as well as research grant funding from the National Institutes of Health. In his free time, Hsiao enjoys reading, the outdoors and photography. Dr. Hsiao is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Fibrous Dysplasia. His top areas of expertise are Fibrous Dysplasia, Osteitis Fibrosa, Mccune-Albright Syndrome, Rhizomelic Syndrome, and Hip Replacement.
Children's National Hospital
Vivian Szymczuk is a Pediatric Endocrinologist in Silver Spring, Maryland. Dr. Szymczuk is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Fibrous Dysplasia. Her top areas of expertise are Fibrous Dysplasia, Osteitis Fibrosa, Mccune-Albright Syndrome, Nerve Decompression, and Tenotomy.
CHU Edouard Herriot
Roland Chapurlat practices in Lyon, France. Mr. Chapurlat is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Fibrous Dysplasia. His top areas of expertise are Postmenopausal Osteoporosis, Osteoporosis, Fibrous Dysplasia, Tissue Biopsy, and Hip Replacement.
The outlook depends on the severity of the condition and the symptoms that occur.
Depending on the bones that are affected, health problems that may result include:
- If a skull bone is affected, there can be vision or hearing loss
- If a leg bone is affected, there can be difficulty walking and joint problems such as arthritis
Contact your provider if your child has symptoms of this condition, such as repeated bone fractures and unexplained bone deformity.
Specialists in orthopedics, endocrinology, and genetics may be involved in your child's diagnosis and care.
There is no known way to prevent fibrous dysplasia. Treatment aims to prevent complications, such as recurrent bone fractures, to help make the condition less severe.
Summary: Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (PFD) is a sporadic disorder which affects multiple sites in the skeleton. The bone at these sites is rapidly resorbed and replaced by abnormal fibrous tissue or mechanically abnormal bone. PFD may occur alone or as part of the McCune-Albright Syndrome (MAS), a syndrome originally defined by the triad of PFD, cafe-au-lait pigmentation of the skin, and precocious puber...
Summary: The FD/MAS Patient Registry is an IRB-approved research study that that invites the patients and families to help answer some of the biggest questions about FD/MAS by completing questionnaires about their lives with FD or MAS. Have you enrolled in the FD/MAS Patient Registry yet? Are you up-to-date on your surveys? Take a trip to www.fdmasregistry.org today to learn more about the project, enroll,...
Published Date: October 01, 2025
Published By: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Regional Medical Director of Penn Medicine Primary and Specialty Care, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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