Dermatofibroma
| Dermatofibroma | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Dermal dendrocytoma, Dermatofibroma, Fibrous dermatofibroma, Fibrous histiocytoma, Fibroma simplex, Nodular subepidermal fibrosis, and Sclerosing hemangioma) |
| Histopathology of dermatofibroma, with basilar hyperpigmentation of the overlying epidermis (top right), and spindled fibroblasts with collagen entrapment. HE stain. | |
| Specialty | Oncology |
A dermatofibroma, or benign fibrous histiocytomas, is a benign nodule in the skin, typically on the legs, elbows or chest of an adult. It is usually painless.
It usually ranges from 0.2 to 2 cm in size but larger examples have been reported. It typically results from mild trauma such as an insect bite. Risk factors for developing multiple dermatofibromas include lupus, HIV, blood cancer and some medicines that weaken immunity.
It is usually diagnosed by its appearance, but a biopsy may be required. Other bumps such as granular cell tumor, melanoma, clear cell acanthoma and dermatofibrosis lenticularis disseminata may look similar. Usually no treatment is needed. It can remain unchanged for years but can resolve spontaneously.