Fibroma
Fibromas (or
fibroid
tumors or
fibroids)
are benign
tumors that
are composed
of fibrous
or
connective
tissue. They
can grow in
all organs,
arising from
mesenchyme
tissue.
The term
"fibroblastic"
or "fibromatous"
is used to
describe
tumors of
the fibrous
connective
tissue. When
the term
fibroma is
used without
modifier, it
is usually
considered
benign, with
the term
fibrosarcoma
reserved for
malignant
tumors.
The term
fibroid can
also refer
to tumors of
smooth
muscle, as
in uterine
fibroids.
Hard Fibroma
The hard
fibroma (fibroma
durum)
consists of
many fibres
and few
cells, e.g.
in skin it
is called
dermatofibroma
(fibroma
simplex or
nodulus
cutaneous),
in skin
there also
might be
histiocytomas,
which
contain more
cells. A
special form
is the
keloid,
which
derives from
hyperplastic
growth of
scars.
Soft Fibroma
The soft
fibroma (fibroma
molle) or
fibroma with
a shaft (acrochordon,
skin tag,
fibroma
pendulans)
consist of
many loosely
connected
cells and
less fibroid
tissue. It
mostly
appears at
the neck,
armpits or
groins. The
photo shows
a soft
fibroma of
the eyelid.
Other Types
of Fibroma
The fibroma
cavernosum
or
angiofibroma,
consists of
many often
dilated
vessels, it
is a
vasoactive
tumor
occurring
almost
exclusively
in
adolescent
males.
The cystic
fibroma (fibroma
cysticum)
has central
softening or
dilated
lymphatic
vessels.
The
myxofibroma
(fibroma
myxomatodes)
is produced
by
liquefaction
of the
underlying
soft tissue.
The cemento-ossifying
fibroma is
hard and
fibrous,
most
frequently
seen in the
jaw or
mouth,
sometimes in
connection
with a
fracture or
another type
of injury.
Other
fibromas:
chondromyxoid
fibroma,
desmoplasmic
fibroma,
nonossifying
fibroma,
ossifying
fibroma,
perifollicular
fibroma,
pleomorphic
fibroma etc.
Ovarian
Fibroma
It appears
in the sex
cord-stromal
tumour group
of ovarian
neoplasms.
Ovary
fibromas are
most
frequent
during
middle age,
and rare in
children.
Upon gross
pathological
inspection,
ovary
fibromas are
firm and
white or
tan.
Variants
with edema
are
especially
likely to be
associated
with Meig's
syndrome. On
microscopic
examination,
there are
intersecting
bundles of
spindle
cells
producing
collagen.
There may be
thecomatous
areas (fibrothecoma).
Treatment
Benign
fibromas can
be removed
or left
alone. A
physician
should
examine the
fibroma and
determine
whether it
may be
malignant.
If there is
any question
as to
whether it
may be
cancer-related,
it should be
removed.
This is
usually a
brief
outpatient
procedure. |