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.

Where is dermatofibroma found?

Dermatofibromas are small, harmless growths that appear on the skin. These growths, or papules, can develop anywhere on the body, but they are most common on the arms, lower legs, and upper back.

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.

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.

How do I know if I have 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.

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

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.

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.

How quickly do dermatofibromas 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.

Is it normal to have multiple dermatofibromas?

Background: Although patients with one to two dermatofibromas are common, cases of "multiple" dermatofibromas (more than 15 lesions) are rare and may occur in the context of altered or normal immune function. Patients with multiple dermatofibromas clustered in one anatomic area, by contrast, are strikingly rare.

What causes multiple dermatofibromas?

They are sometimes attributed to minor trauma including insect bites, injections, or a rose thorn injury, but not consistently. Multiple dermatofibromas can develop in patients with altered immunity such as HIV, immunosuppression, or autoimmune conditions.

Can dermatofibromas be cancerous?

Cellular dermatofibromas are small skin lesions. 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.

Is dermatofibroma itchy?

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

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.

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.

How do you describe a dermatofibroma?

A dermatofibroma, or benign fibrous histiocytomas, is a benign nodule in the skin, typically on the legs, elbows and chest of an adult. It is usually painless. Histopathology of dermatofibroma, with basilar hyperpigmentation of the overlying epidermis (top right), and spindled fibroblasts with collagen entrapment.

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.

Are dermatofibromas 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.

Can a dermatofibroma bleed?

What are the symptoms of a dermatofibroma? Usually there are no symptoms but some people may be concerned about how they look. Occasionally they itch or hurt when touched or knocked. If they are on the legs, shaving the skin over them can cause bleeding.

Can dermatofibroma be 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.

Why do I feel a ball in my skin?

Cysts are common on the skin and can appear anywhere. They feel like large peas under the surface of the skin. Cysts can develop as a result of infection, clogging of sebaceous glands (oil glands), or around foreign bodies, such as earrings.

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.

Why do I have a small 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.

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.

Can you get dermatofibroma on your breast?

Background: Dermatofibromas are common benign tumors in women and breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and an environmental etiology has been suspected in both conditions.

Do dermatofibromas recur?

Background: Cellular dermatofibromas, a variant of dermatofibroma, are reported to recur at rates of 26% to 50%.