What is benign dermatofibroma?

Dermatofibromas, or histiocytomas, are common noncancerous (benign) skin growths. They are firm to hard, and they are skin-colored or slightly pigmented. Dermatofibromas can be tender. These lesions usually persist for life, and they may heal as depressed scars after several years.

Can dermatofibroma become cancerous?

However, if a person has a growth that looks like a dermatofibroma but is rapidly growing or changing, they should seek medical advice. This growth may be a sign of a rare type of cancer called dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

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.

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.

Are dermatofibromas common?

Dermatofibromas are somewhat common. About 3 in every 100 skin lesions is a dermatofibroma. A skin lesion is a growth, mole or sore on or in your skin.

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

Is dermatofibroma a cyst?

Dermatofibroma is a common benign mesenchymal skin tumor. Sweat duct cyst is an uncommon benign lesion containing squamous and glandular cells.

Do dermatofibromas get bigger?

Dermatofibromas are usually painless, but some people experience tenderness or itching. Most often, a single nodule develops, but some people can develop many dermatofibromas. They rarely grow larger than a half-inch in diameter. The cause of dermatofibromas is unknown.

How do I get rid of dermatofibroma?

Symptomatic, protruding dermatofibromas can often be reduced in size by liquid nitrogen (freezing) therapy or steroid injections to the lesion. In patients with dark skin, freezing with liquid nitrogen and steroid injection of may cause pigmentary change that is usually temporary.

Can I 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.

Is dermatofibroma hereditary?

Dermatofibromas are common among adults, more so in women. Their cause is probably genetic. Lesions are usually 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter, firm, and may dimple inward with gentle pinching. Most lesions are asymptomatic, but some itch or ulcerate after minor trauma.

Is dermatofibroma safe?

Dermatofibromas are diagnosed by their appearance to the naked eye. The diagnosis may also be confirmed by removing and examining it under a microscope. Dermatofibromas do not go away by themselves. However, as they are harmless and do not turn into cancer, no treatment is usually needed.

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.

Is Dermatofibrosarcoma curable?

What is the prognosis for persons with DFSP? The general prognosis for DFSP is excellent. In the past, recurrence rates were high, but with the introduction of Mohs surgery, those rates have decreased. Even with recurrent DFSP, Mohs surgery has a 98% cure rate.

Is dermatofibroma benign or malignant?

Dermatofibroma (cutaneous fibrous histiocytoma) represents a common benign mesenchymal tumor, and numerous morphological variants have been described. Some variants of dermatofibroma are characterized by an increased risk of local recurrences, and there are a few reported metastasizing cases.

How is Dermatofibrosarcoma treated?

Do dermatofibromas 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.

Does dermatofibroma cause pain?

Dermatofibromas are usually asymptomatic, but itching and pain often are noted. They are the most common of all painful skin tumors. Women who shave their legs may be bothered by the razor traumatizing the lesion in that region, causing pain, bleeding, erosive changes, and ulceration.

How big can a dermatofibroma 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.

How can you tell if a lump is cancerous?

Bumps that are cancerous are typically large, hard, painless to the touch and appear spontaneously. The mass will grow in size steadily over the weeks and months. Cancerous lumps that can be felt from the outside of your body can appear in the breast, testicle, or neck, but also in the arms and legs.

Is Dermatofibrosarcoma malignant?

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare dermal malignancy affecting the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissues. It was first reported by Darier and Ferrand in 1924. This tumor is locally aggressive with high recurrence rates, but rarely metastasizes.

Can a dermatologist remove a dermatofibroma?

Like the shaving method, the nodule can grow back. Freezing also leaves a white scar. If you have more than one dermatofibroma on your face, a dermatologist may recommend laser surgery. Consequently, you may opt to have the lesion completely excised.

Can Dermatofibrosarcoma spread?

In dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, the tumor has a tendency to return after being removed. However, it does not often spread to other parts of the body (metastasize ).

What causes Dermatofibrosarcoma?

The cause of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is unknown. Laboratory studies have shown that chromosomal aberrations may contribute to the pathogenesis of DFSP; however, no evidence of hereditary or familial predisposition exists. In 10-20% of patients with this tumor, trauma at the site seems to be incriminated.

Can dermatofibroma turn into Dermatofibrosarcoma?

One year later, Hoffman (2) described the tendency of the dermatofibroma tumor to develop into protruding nodules and termed the condition dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP).