Can FOP be cured?

Currently, there is no cure for FOP. Courses of high-dose corticosteroids at the start of a flare-up can reduce some of the symptoms of the condition.

Where is FOP most common?

The condition affects many areas of the body including, but not limited to, the neck, spine, chest, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles and jaw. FOP is an autosomal dominant condition, which means that a person needs only to get the gene for FOP from one parent to inherit the disease.

How long does someone with FOP live?

The median estimated lifespan of individuals with FOP is approximately 56 years of age.

Is FOP a rare disease?

PHILADELPHIA— Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare disease characterized by extensive bone growth outside of the normal skeleton that pre-empts the body’s normal responses to even minor injuries.

When does FOP start?

At about five years of age, the child begins to experience painful swellings that develop into hard bumps containing bone. These bone-forming events first appear in the upper back and neck, and then episodically progress through the trunk of the body and to the arms and legs.

How do you test for FOP?

The diagnosis of FOP is made by clinical evaluation. Confirmatory genetic testing is available. Differential diagnosis includes progressive osseous heteroplasia, osteosarcoma, lymphedema, soft tissue sarcoma, desmoid tumors, aggressive juvenile fibromatosis, and non-hereditary (acquired) heterotopic ossification.

At what age can you get FOP?

FOP is autosomal dominant with most cases being sporadic, presenting between birth to 10 years, and slowly progressing to become fatal at age 40 on average due to thoracic insufficiency syndrome [[5], [6], [7]].

How is FOP caused?

FOP is caused by the mutation of a gene (ACVR1) in the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway, which is important during the formation of the skeleton in the embryo and the repair of the skeleton following birth.

Is FOP disease hereditary?

Causes. Most cases of FOP occur sporadically, with a single affected individual within a family. When a familial pattern has been identified, FOP is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with complete penetrance. In April 2006, an international team of researchers led by Eileen M.

How does FOP start?