A dermatofibroma (aka hard fibroma) is a skin lesion, usually a single one, smaller than a soft fibroma. They are located in skin of unchanged color, less often light brown. Most often located on the limbs, they are movable against the ground.
Dermatofibroma(akahard fibroma ) is much more common in women, with most developing between the ages of 20 and 50. It happens that the formation of a fibroma occurs after an earlier trauma. This can happenat the site of the insect biteand also on the basis of folliculitis. When finding a similar change in the body, you should think about whether we have experienced similar situations before.
Dermatofibroma and soft fibroma
Fibromas can be divided into soft and hard (dermatofibromas).
Soft fibromastocongenital neoplasms , however, they may appear at different ages. They hang down, sometimes they can be inserted into the skin through pressure. Most often they have a skin color, they can also be brownish. They are found in Recklinghausen disease. In the differentiation of soft fibromas, one should remember about soft cellular nevus, papillomas and lipomas.
Dermatofibromatoma, i.e. hard fibroma, belongs to the fibrous changes that appear regardless of the patient's age, most often in the elderly. Defibromatomas cannot be compressed and inserted deep into tissues.
| Dermatofibroma - hard fibroma | soft fibroma | |
| characteristic | hard, light brown to reddish brown lump, raised above the skin level, shrinks, convex when squeezed - Fitzpatrick symptom | lump on a narrow stalk, flesh-colored or brown |
| treatment | cryosurgery, glucocorticoid injections, laser ablation | cryosurgery, electrocoagulation, superficial truncation of the lesion or excision with scissors |
How to differentiate dermatofibroma?
Histological examination is of key importance in the diagnosis of hard fibroma. Other skin lesions that may resemble a dermatofibroma include:
- histiocytoma, which is also a reaction tumor
- fibrotic hemangioma
- keloid, formed ininjury site (secondary) or without cause (spontaneous)
A doctor, usually a dermatologist, after collecting an interview and examining the patient, may propose further treatment in the form of surgical removal or observation of the lesion.
Dermofibroma - treatment
Changes that disturb the patient, cause cosmetic defects or pain can be removed surgically. This procedure is most often performed under local anesthesia. The following are also used in the treatment of fibroids:
- fractional laser
- CO2
- cryotherapy
- electroresection
This is not necessary, however, as a dermatofibroma is a benign connective tissue tumor that is not life-threatening.