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Living with Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor

An uncommon, usually noncancerous tumor that can grow in many parts of the body, most often in children and young adults.

Understanding Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is an uncommon, usually benign (noncancerous) tumor made of cells called myofibroblastic spindle cells.

It usually develops in children or young adults but can affect anyone. It is most common in the lung, eye socket, belly lining (peritoneum), and mesentery. Some people have no symptoms; others have breathing symptoms, fever, or pain. IMTs may come back or spread, but cancerous ones are rare.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on where the tumor is. GARD says people may have:

  • No symptoms
  • Breathing symptoms
  • Fever
  • Pain

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include cancer specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Cancer specialists (oncologists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Where is my tumor located, and how will it be treated?
Was ALK gene testing done on the tumor?
How often will we check for the tumor coming back?

Quick facts

The underlying cause is poorly understood. Some cases have been linked to changes (translocations) involving the ALK gene.

Also known as: imt; inflammatory fibrosarcoma; inflammatory myofibroblastic neoplasm; inflammatory pseudotumor

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumorGARD ID 7146 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor.

Explore the Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor blog

Explore research for Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor

Explore actively recruiting Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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