What does a dermatofibroma look like?

Cellular dermatofibromas look like small round or oval bumps. They're usually less than 1 centimeter (cm) in diameter. They may be flesh-colored, brown or reddish-brown. Usually, dermatofibromas form on your arms or legs.

How do I know if I have a dermatofibroma?

Signs and Symptoms

Dermatofibromas are most often found on the arms and legs of women. They are small brown or reddish-brown mobile nodules, and they feel quite firm. They may be tender to touch. Many lesions demonstrate a "dimple sign," where the central portion puckers as the lesion is compressed on the sides.

What is a common cause of dermatofibroma?

What causes dermatofibromas? Dermatofibromas are caused by an overgrowth of a mixture of different cell types in the dermis layer of the skin. The reasons why this overgrowth occurs aren't known. The growths often develop after some type of small trauma to the skin, including a puncture from a splinter or bug bite.

Can you squeeze a dermatofibroma?

If you pinch a dermatofibroma, it creates a dimple because it is attached to the underlying subcutaneous tissue. 1 On the other hand, if you pinch a mole, it projects up away from the skin. Moles appear when skin cells grow in clusters.

What is inside a dermatofibroma?

Dermatofibromas comprise a mixture of tissues, including blood vessels, fibroblasts, and macrophages. The growths run into the dermis, which is the middle layer of the skin. In rare cases, the growths can extend to the subcutis, which is deeper.

Dermatofibroma 101 (Benign Fibrous Histiocytoma)...Explained by a Dermatopathologist

How big do dermatofibromas get?

Dermatofibromas are firm and may be black, red, brown, or flesh-colored. Their diameter generally ranges from 0.5 to l. 5 cm, although they may occasionally be larger. Dermatofibromas may be solitary or multiple, and they develop either spontaneously or after minor trauma to the skin, such as an insect bite.

Should dermatofibroma be removed?

Dermatofibromas are generally harmless and don't usually need to be treated. Although they typically appear in exposed areas like the arms and legs they can occasionally grow elsewhere on the body that is harder to cover up. Sometimes they can also be tender or itchy.

Can dermatofibroma appear suddenly?

There are specific situations where dermatofibromas can be associated with underlying health issues. Typically, multiple dermatofibroma lesions that arise suddenly are seen in these situations. If you have multiple skin lesions that have come on suddenly, you should discuss this with your physician.

How do you remove a dermatofibroma?

Surgical removal is by far the most reliable method to remove dermatofibromas. Removal begins with injecting a local anesthetic into the area. Injection of the freezing is slightly uncomfortable, but there is no pain during the procedure once the freezing has taken.

How fast does dermatofibroma grow?

Usually, they develop over time, growing slowly until they reach less than 1 cm (about ¼ inch) in size. On rare occasions, larger lesions do occur, but dermatofibromas larger than 1 cm should be evaluated by a doctor.

Where do dermatofibromas occur?

Dermatofibroma is a commonly occurring cutaneous entity usually centered within the skin's dermis. Dermatofibromas are referred to as benign fibrous histiocytomas of the skin, superficial/cutaneous benign fibrous histiocytomas, or common fibrous histiocytoma.

Can dermatofibroma be soft?

Dermatofibroma, also known as fibrous histiocytoma, is one of the most common cutaneous soft-tissue lesions, accounting for approximately 3% of skin lesion specimens received by dermatopathology laboratories.

When should I worry about a lump under my skin?

It's important to talk with your doctor about any lumps that are larger than two inches (about the size of a golf ball), grow larger, or are painful regardless of their location. “Tell your doctor about new lumps or other symptoms that cannot be explained or that don't go away in a few weeks,” Dr. Shepard says.

Are dermatofibroma flat?

They are well circumscribed, solitary or multiple, usually hyperpigmented dermal nodules, typically less than 1 cm in diameter. They may be slightly protuberant, but are most often flat, and are generally located on the extremities.

Are dermatofibromas scaly?

Dermatofibromas are usually single nodules that develop on an extremity, most commonly the lower legs. They are freely moving, firm-to-hard nodules of 0.5-1.0 cm diameter. The skin's surface is generally smooth, occasionally scaly. The overlying skin may be tethered, causing it to dimple when pinched.

Can dermatofibroma turn cancerous?

They're more likely than other dermatofibromas to attach to your deepest layer of skin. They're also more likely to spread to other parts of your body. Dermatofibromas aren't cancerous, so you don't usually need treatment for them. If the growth is uncomfortable or bothers you, your healthcare provider may remove it.

Are dermatofibromas common?

Dermatofibroma (superficial benign fibrous histiocytoma) is a common cutaneous nodule of unknown etiology that occurs more often in women. Dermatofibroma frequently develops on the extremities (mostly the lower legs) and is usually asymptomatic, although pruritus and tenderness can be present.

Can you freeze off a dermatofibroma?

Benign skin lesions that are suitable for freezing include actinic keratosis, solar lentigo, seborrheic keratosis, viral wart, molluscum contagiosum, and dermatofibroma.

Why is there a hard ball under my skin?

Epidermoid cyst

An epidermoid cysts are small, round lumps under your skin. They usually develop when shed skin cells move into your skin instead of falling off. Epidermoid cysts can also form when hair follicles become irritated or damaged, due to a buildup of keratin.

Are dermatofibromas itchy?

Dermatofibromas are usually asymptomatic, but itching and pain often are noted. They are the most common of all painful skin tumors.

What does a sarcoma lump feel like?

Symptoms of soft tissue sarcomas

For example: swelling under the skin may cause a painless lump that cannot easily be moved around and gets bigger over time. swelling in the tummy (abdomen) may cause abdominal pain, a persistent feeling of fullness and constipation.

What are the pea sized lumps under my skin?

Every person has hundreds of lymph nodes throughout the body. They are movable lumps approximately the size of a pea most typically founds in the armpits, collarbone, groin, and neck. Your lymph nodes swell in response to something as minor as a cold or due to mild infections.

When should I get a lump checked out?

Most lumps are harmless and do not need any treatment. However, it is very important to see your GP if you have any concerns about the lump, or if the lump doesn't disappear within two weeks.

What is an atypical dermatofibroma?

Atypical dermatofibroma is also known as dermatofibroma with monster cells or pseudosarcomatous dermatofibroma. There are focal areas within a common dermatofibroma consisting of large polymorphous cells with large nucleoli ('monster cells') (figures 9, 10).

Do all dermatofibromas dimple?

Roughly 80 percent of all dermatofibromas will involute or withdraw below the surface of the skin when one applies lateral squeeze compression, creating a dimple in the skin. Although this “dimple sign” is not exclusive to dermatofibromas, it is still a very useful clinical sign.