DERMATOFIBROMAS
---------------------------------------------
Related Term: Fibrous Histiocytoma
Clinical:
Dermatofibromas are small pea size nodules (benign) noncancercous growths that occur on either the skin of legs or on the arms. They range in color from yellow-brown to dark red or reddish brown. These growths are benign and are usually painless. Composition is of spindle cells or histiocytes in association with collagen. Generally these growths appear singularly. However they may appear in clumps and the pattern of distribution may be irregular.
There is no correlation to suggest that lymphedema leads to or causes dermatofibromas, but due to the fact we continously have questions regarding them, I felt it helpful to include a page of basic information. In addition, there are significant vascular, blood flow and lymphatic changes that occur in lymphedema and as such, I do have questions on whether or not it causes us to be more susceptible various skin complications.
Etiology:
Generally unknown
Causes:
Can include trauma (injury), insect bites, and cuts caused by shaving.
Symptoms:
Dermatofibromas usually develop slowly and usually appear on the lower legs. These small, hard, raised skin growths can have various characteristics: (1)
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is usually made by simple examination. however, if there is any question or if the dermatofibroma is rapidly growing a biopsy may be performed.
Treatment:
Because these lesions are harmless and not associated with pain or infections generally they are not treated, unless for cosmetic appearances. In this case they can be surgical removed, tangential excised or removed by cryosurgery (freezing).
----------------------
Dermatofibromas
Dermatofibroma (DF) is a common cutaneous nodule of unknown etiology. It can occur anywhere, but seems to favor exposed areas. Dermatofibromas feel like hard lumps under the skin. Dermatofibromas occur most often in women. A dermatofibroma is also sometimes called a fibrous histiocytoma. Typical dermatofibromas cause little or no discomfort, although itching and tenderness can occur. They are firm and often feel like a stone under the skin. They may be skin coloured or brown to brown-blue in colour. Dermatofibroma are common spots found frequently on the legs, but may occur on other sites such as the arms and trunk. Dermatofibromas are best ignored. If the diagnosis is uncertain, a piece may be removed for tissue analysis. However, treatment of dermatofibromas is usually not necessary unless they are causing you some discomfort or you feel they are unattractive.
Dermatofibroma is basically a skin disease typical to youth, but dermatofibroma may occur to the people at any age. Dermatofibromas are quite common, and occur more often in women over the age of 17. The cause of dermatofibromas is unknown. They are usually single but sometimes may be multiple. Simple excision is curative. Physicians recommend a treatment only when the lesion comes in the way of shaving or becomes irritated by clothing. Dermatofibroma can be removed surgically with the help of local anesthesia. It can be flattened by using liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze it and flatten it. Liquid nitrogen destroys only the upper part of the growth and it may become noticeable after a few years. Another freezing can be done to handle the problem later.
The exact cause of dermatofibroma is not known but in some cases it may be caused by insect bites, minor injury or thorn pricks. Dermatofibroma may also be caused by genetic factors. It mostly occurs in women. They are usually single but sometimes may be multiple. Simple excision is curative. Dermatofibromas seem to be caused by some sort of injury, such as a bump, bug bite, or cut.
Common causes and risk factors of Dermatofibroma:
Dermatofibromas most often occur on the legs and arms. Once developed, they usually persist for years. Dermatofibromas feel like hard lumps under the skin. They probably are a reaction to a minor injury, such a bug bite or a splinter. Dermatofibromas are like an iceberg in that there is more under the skin than seen on the surface. Dermatofibroma can occur at any age but generally it develops in young adulthood. Around twenty percent of the lesions occur before the age of seventeen. The nodule feels like tiny pebble or a small pea that is fixed to the skin.
Sign and symptoms may include the following :
A dermatofibroma is of cosmetic significance only and although it tends to persist long term, it seldom causes any symptoms. Usually only reassurance is needed. Physicians recommend a treatment only when the lesion comes in the way of shaving or becomes irritated by clothing. Dermatofibroma can be removed surgically with the help of local anesthesia. As it grows much more beneath the surface than on the surface so the scar may be larger than the actual tumor.
Treatment may include:
----------------------
Multiple dermatofibromas on face treated with carbon dioxide laser: The importance of laser parameters
2008
Sardana
Kabir, Garg
Vijay K
Department of
Dermatology and STD, Maulana Azad
Medical College, New Delhi, India
Correspondence
Address:
Sardana Kabir
Sect. 28, 466, Noida - 201 303, UP
India
Sir,
Dermatofibroma (DF) is one of the common dermatologic diseases treated
by
practicing dermatologists. [1]
The use of carbon dioxide laser has emerged as an effective option for
treatment
of numerous epidermal and dermal dermatological lesions, including
benign and
malignant growths, keloids, vascular deformities, warts and tattoos.
[2]
The focus has now shifted from continuous wave (CW) to super-pulse (SP)
and now
ultrapulse (UP) mode. [3]
The latter mode combines efficacy and minimal tissue damage and is
preferred by
most laser surgeons worldwide. [3]
The case published [4] highlights
two concepts. One the use of CO 2 laser, and
second its apparent
beneficial effects on fibrosis. But surprisingly, no mention is made of
some
standard facts that are mandatory in laser article publications
worldwide: [3]
the type of laser, the make, the mode used (CW, SP, UP),
the sub-mode used
(continuous, repeat, pulsed), the energy used (joules/cm 2
) and in
most pulsed surgery - the total power (W), power/pulse (mJ), pulse
width (in µs),
frequency (Hz) and pulse diameter. [3]
Nowadays, it is routine to use a two-step procedure, first to debulk
the tissue
with CW mode and then to destroy the base with UP mode, with the
end-point
varying depending on the lesion to be treated. [3]
This use of UP mode ensures better cosmesis. [3]
Notwithstanding the high recurrence that is the norm in similar
conditions with
fibroblastic proliferation like keloids, [3]
it is heartening to note the decent results obtained by the authors.
[4]
But, we were surprised to note that no mention was made of a previous
study on
18 patients (20 lesions) with PDL where 15 of 20 lesions (75%)
responded. [5]
With so little on the subject, a proper perspective was warranted in
the article
on whether PDL is superior to CO 2 or not.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology
...................
Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
We present the case of a 60-year-old male with known stage IA mycosis fungoides (MF) who developed a suspicious tumor within a pre-existing lymphomatous plaque of the right forearm. Microscopy revealed an unusual mixed fibrohistiocytic proliferation as well as atypical intraepidermal and dermal lymphocytes. There was no evidence of large-cell transformation. Histopathological, immunohistochemical and clinical clues suggest this lesion might not have represented adermatofibroma, but rather a hitherto unreported dermatofibroma-like process arising within a lesion of MF. The potential impact of this atypical lesion on the prognosis and clinical management of this patient highlights the importance of recognizing unusual clinical presentations of more common, benign lesions within this patient population. Morcos SM, Girardi M, Subtil A, Wilson LD, Cowper SE. Mycosis fungoides exhibiting features of a dermatofibroma: a case report and review of the literature.
Wiley Online
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0560.2011.01804.x/abstract
------------------------------------------------
Department of Dermatology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Dermatofibroma (DF) is usually confined to the dermis and the overlying epidermis is usually hyperplastic. Although DF with deep subcutaneous extension is commonly encountered, purely subcutaneous DF is uncommon. In this review, we describe a case of a 41-year-old male patient who presented with a painless, subcutaneous, hard papule on the left thigh. After the skin had been incised the lesion was totally removed, and histopathology revealed a subcutaneous dermatofibroma.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3130878/?tool=pubmed
Clinical Studies and Abstracts
...................
...................
...................
...................
Mitosis in dermatofibroma: a worrisome histopathologic sign that does not necessarily equal recurrence.
J Cutan Pathol. 2008 Mar 10
...................
Dermoscopy of dermatofibromas: a prospective morphological study of 412 cases.
Arch Dermatol. 2008 Jan
...................
Proliferation of HSP47-positive skin fibroblasts in dermatofibroma.
Cutan Pathol. 2008 Jan
Wiley Online
...................
Multiple eruptive dermatofibromas in 2 patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus
Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2007 Dec
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External Links
...................
Dermatofibromas
http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/skin_disorders/noncancerous_skin_growths/dermatofibromas.html?qt=dermatofibroma&alt=sh
...................
Dermatofibroma
eMedicine
http://www.emedicine.com/DERM/topic96.htm
...................
Dermatofibroma
http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/d/dermatofibroma.htm
...................
Dermatofibromas (1)
Harvard School of Medicine
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/9813.html
br /
...................
Dermatofibromas
http://www.bad.org.uk/site/809/default.aspx
...................
Dermatofibromas
http://www.dermnetnz.org/lesions/dermatofibroma.html
===========================
Diagnostic Images
Dermatofibroma:
Dermatofibromas
are benign, firm
nodules, usually smaller than a pea, which occur most commonly
on the legs or back. Women are affected more often than men. They
sometimes will
follow an insect bite or other minor trauma, and may represent a
scar-tissue
reaction rather than a true growth. Dermatofibromas are usually
solitary, only
slightly elevated above the skin, and may be pink, brown, even
multicolored.
They often appear suddenly, reach their largest size over a few weeks,
and then
persist. Rarely, they will regress spontaneously. Treatment is not
necessary,
but they can be removed for cosmetic reasons using the CO2 laser,
cautery, or
direct excision and closure. There have been reports of successful
treatment
using the pulsed dye laser. Recurrence after treatment is uncommon.
See also:
DermNet
http://www.dermnetnz.org/lesions/dermatofibroma.html
http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&hl=en&q=dermatofibromas&btnG=Search+Images
Yahoo
===========================
ICD-10
023
Other benign neoplasms of skin | ||||||||
023 | Includes: | benign neoplasm of: · hair follicles · sebaceous glands · sweat glands |
||||||
Excludes: | benign lipomatous neoplasms melanocytic naevi |
D23.0 | Skin of lip | |||||||
Excludes: | vermilion border of lip |
|||||||
D23.1 | Skin of eyelid, including canthus | |||||||
D23.2 | Skin of ear and external auricular canal | |||||||
D23.3 | Skin of other and unspecified parts of face | |||||||
D23.4 | Skin of scalp and neck | |||||||
D23.5 | Skin of trunk | |||||||
Anal: · margin · skin Perianal skin Skin of breast |
||||||||
Excludes: | anus NOS skin of genital organs |
|||||||
D23.6 | Skin of upper limb, including shoulder | |||||||
D23.7 | Skin of lower limb, including hip | |||||||
D23.9 | Skin, unspecified |
ICD-9
===========================
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Pat O'Connor
Lymphedema People / Advocates for Lymphedema
===========================
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===========================
Lymphedema People - Support Groups
-----------------------------------------------
Children
with Lymphedema
The time has come for families, parents, caregivers to have a support
group of
their own. Support group for parents, families and caregivers of
chilren with
lymphedema. Sharing information on coping, diagnosis, treatment and
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......................
Lipedema
Lipodema Lipoedema
No matter how you spell it, this is another very little understood and
totally
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......................
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......................
All
About Lymphangiectasia
Support group for parents, patients, children who suffer from all forms
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......................
Lymphatic
Disorders Support Group @ Yahoo Groups
While we have a number of support groups for lymphedema... there is
nothing out
there for other lymphatic disorders. Because we have one of the most
comprehensive information sites on all lymphatic disorders, I thought
perhaps,
it is time that one be offered.
DISCRIPTION
Information and support for rare and unusual disorders affecting the
lymph
system. Includes lymphangiomas, lymphatic malformations,
telangiectasia,
hennekam's syndrome, distichiasis, Figueroa
syndrome, ptosis syndrome, plus many more. Extensive database of
information
available through sister site Lymphedema People.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lymphaticdisorders/
Subscribe: lymphaticdisorders-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
.
===========================
Lymphedema People New Wiki Pages
Have
you seen our new “Wiki”
pages yet? Listed
below are just a
sample of the more than 140 pages now listed in our Wiki section. We
are also
working on hundred more. Come
and
take a stroll!
Lymphedema
Glossary
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=glossary:listing
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Leg
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Acute
Lymphedema
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The
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Exercises
for Lymphedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=exercises_for_lymphedema
Diuretics
are not for Lymphedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=diuretics_are_not_for_lymphedema
Lymphedema
People Online Support
Groups
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema_people_online_support_groups
Lipedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lipedema
Treatment
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=treatment
Lymphedema
and Pain Management
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Manual
Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT)
Infections
Associated with Lymphedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=infections_associated_with_lymphedema
How
to Treat a Lymphedema Wound
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=how_to_treat_a_lymphedema_wound
Fungal
Infections Associated with
Lymphedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=fungal_infections_associated_with_lymphedema
Lymphedema
in Children
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema_in_children
Lymphoscintigraphy
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Magnetic
Resonance Imaging
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para-aortic lymph node dissection (EPLND)
Axillary
node biopsy
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Needle Biopsy - Fine Needle Aspiration
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Resonance Imaging
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Lymphedema
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http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema_gene_sox18
Lymphedema
and Pregnancy
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