Fifty-six patients with tumoral calcinosis are presented. The lesions were located predominantly about the hip, elbows and scapula. The pathological features are described and the aetiology is discussed.Tumoral calcinosis is a distinct entity in which large deposits of calcified material arc found in the tissues adjacent to the large joints of the body. It is a rare condition in Europe and North America (Slavin et al., 1973) but is quite commonly seen in the populations of South, Central and East Africa and has also been reported from New Guinea (Berg, 1972)-This paper reports our experience with fifty-six cases from Malawi. MATERIALS AND METHODSSince 1968 St Thomas's Hospital Medical School has provided the histopathological service for Malawi. The slides and clinical information from all cases diagnosed as tumoral calcinosis in the decade 1970-1979 have been reviewed.Representative blocks from all pieces were decalcified, embedded in wax and 5-//m sections cut. These were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and also by the Von Kossa technique. RESULTS Clinical findingsThe series consisted of fifty-six patients (all coloured Africans), thirty-nine females and seventeen males. The age range was from 6 to 70 years (mean 30). Twenty-three patients (41 "n) were under 21 years and ten patients were aged 10 years or younger. The lesions were located about the hip (69".,), elbow (9'\,) and scapula (9'^,), sacrum (6'\,), ankle (3",,) and scalp (i"o).