Abstract Tumoral calcinosis is an uncommon, usually solitary, tumour-like mass characterized by soft tissue calcification for no apparent reason. Nearly all cases have occurred in negroes, including 2 previously recorded in this country. We report 7 cases seen over a period of 3 years in English caucasian patients and suggest that the condition is not rare but goes unrecognized under a variety of guises. Three of these 7 patients, 2 of whom were on haemodialysis for renal failure, had isolated hyperphosphataemia, which is the only aetiological factor detected so far. Surgical excision appears to be the only effective treatment.