Fibroma: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

A fibroma is a benign, usually discolored growth in human skin or connective tissue. It is quite harmless in most cases and can be removed if it is bothersome, painful, or displeasing for cosmetic reasons. Fibroma is quite common overall.

What is a fibroma?

A fibroma usually refers to a benign as well as tumor-like growth in human skin tissue or even connective tissue. The way this adhesion manifests itself is determined by the appearance of uncontrolled cell growths, similar to those of a tumor. A fibroma is not malignant like cancer, so it is basically harmless. Nevertheless, the skin growth can cause discomfort and complications that can limit the quality of life of the affected person.

Causes

The causes of fibromas are difficult to identify in most cases, but sometimes they occur due to injuries. They can appear all over the body, but surgical intervention is very rarely required. Both men and women can be affected, as well as all age groups. Most often, however, fibroma occurs in an adult person. Researchers now believe that fibromas are caused by injuries to the skin tissue. However, genetic reasons are also suspected, occurring mainly in Northern Europe. There are also certain medications, such as beta-blockers, which have an unfavorable effect on the skin tissue and thus promote the development of fibromas. Risk factors are mainly to be sought in the family environment, if there is a clustered occurrence of fibromas here.

Symptoms, complaints, and signs

Fibromas appear as skin protrusions and are benign tumors. They can be hard or soft, as well as appear as so-called irritant fibromas on the oral mucosa. Soft fibromas are particularly observed in the armpits, on the neck, on the groin or under the breasts. They are often pedunculated and have small wrinkles on the surface. They have the same coloring as the skin. However, they tarnish red to black due to the injury of small blood vessels when they are turned. Soft fibromas are located in the skin area and are visible from the outside. In contrast, hard fibromas can be both raised and sunken in relation to the skin surface. Their coloration is somewhat darker and sometimes grayish-brown. Typical of a hard fibroma is the Fitzpatrick sign. Fitzpatrick’s sign is characterized by the fibroma sinking into the skin when the surrounding area is squeezed with the thumb and index finger. Often, black moles and hard fibromas look confusingly similar. However, they can be distinguished by the Fitzpatrick sign. Black moles do not sink into the skin when the outer area is squeezed. The so-called irritant fibroma is located on the oral mucosa. They are small bumps located either in the cheek area, on the edge of the tongue or on the gums. All fibromas are painless and benign.

Diagnosis and progression

If the physician suspects a fibroma, the following procedures are used to make the diagnosis. These include CT scan, X-ray examination, MRI, biopsy, or endoscopy. A tissue biopsy is most effective because it allows the physician to directly analyze the affected area. To do this, tissue is removed and examined in the laboratory. Afterwards, the doctor can see whether fibroma is actually present or whether it is a malignant tumor. Unfortunately, medical errors are becoming more and more common, and cancer is then mistaken for a harmless fibroma, or just the opposite. The latter then leads to unnecessary therapies that burden the patient, or an existing tumor is treated too late. Symptomatic for a fibroma are small skin growths. There may also be discoloration and skin irritation when touched. Also, the fibroma can be easily injured, and then it bleeds a lot. On the feet, fibromas usually form in the form of nodules on the instep. Here, pain can then also occur, which is caused by pressure. Here, the symptoms range from discoloration, to itching, to clearly visible elevations on the skin that increase in size over time. In most cases, however, a fibroma is harmless and does not need to be treated.Sometimes, however, it proliferates to the point that surgery must be performed, especially if the fibroids cause discomfort or severely limit the affected person.

Complications

Usually, fibromas do not cause any other complications or discomfort. The fibroma itself represents a harmless symptom, but it can be removed if it bothers the patient and causes pain. The fibroma causes lumps and growths in the affected person. Itching may also spread on these and the skin areas are reddened. In any case, the patient should not scratch the areas, otherwise wounds or scars may appear there. In some cases, the affected person is ashamed of the fibroma and feels unattractive. Self-esteem decreases, which can lead to psychological problems or depression. Irritation or discoloration often occurs on the affected areas. Pain rarely occurs, and it is mainly pressure pain, so the fibroma does not hurt without touching. There are no other health complications associated with a fibroma. If it is very disturbing for the patient, the fibroma can be removed by surgical intervention. In this case, there is also no further discomfort and the affected area heals after a short time.

When should one go to the doctor?

A doctor should be consulted as soon as there are unusual changes in the appearance of the skin. If swelling, growths or a lump formation of the skin are noticed, they should be examined and treated if necessary. If there are any sensations of discomfort, pressure or numbness on the skin, it is advisable to have a doctor look at it. A medical examination is necessary as soon as pain is felt due to the changes. Consultation with a physician should be sought before using cosmetic products that have the goal of beautifying the affected skin appearance. If there is a feeling of tightness, a general feeling of illness or itching, a visit to the doctor is necessary. If open wounds develop, germs can enter the organism and trigger further illnesses. A doctor should therefore be consulted as soon as the first irregularities in wound healing occur or there is no adequate possibility of sterile wound care. Discoloration of the skin, a persistent general feeling of indisposition or inner restlessness should also be clarified. If the visual changes cause emotional or psychological problems, a doctor should be consulted for advice and help. If there are behavioral changes or a social withdrawal, there is reason for concern, which should be followed up. In addition, from middle age onwards, regular check-ups with a dermatologist are advisable.

Treatment and therapy

A fibroma of the skin tissue is in most cases completely harmless and requires no further therapy. If it nevertheless causes discomfort or otherwise proves complicated, the patient has the option of having the fibroma surgically removed. These skin changes, which appear on the feet, are very complicated to remove and require prolonged therapy. The consequences of the surgery can be very serious. For this reason, alternative therapy is usually recommended. Here, for example, cryotherapy can be used or wearing special insoles. In the case of surgical intervention on the foot, the healing process is quite slow, and the risk of further complications increases enormously. If, nevertheless, the invasive intervention cannot be avoided, the following methods are available: injection of corticosteroids, surgical removal of the entire tendon plate of the foot or removal of the pure fibroma. All these treatment methods usually do not have great risks, but they can sometimes lead to unpleasant side effects.

Outlook and prognosis

A fibroma has a favorable prognosis. Since the tissue changes and growths are harmless from a medical point of view, there is no reason for a health risk. It is an optical blemish that does not require treatment from a medical point of view. In the case of a fibroma, no physical consequential damage or impairment of mobility is to be expected. Regardless of the described outlook, the well-being of the affected person may nevertheless be reduced and the occurrence of psychological problems is possible.To prevent the development of serious mental disorders, therapy can be used as a supportive measure. The prognosis of a psychological treatment is individual and is directly related to the trusting relationship with the therapist as well as the own cooperation during the therapy. In addition, if desired, a surgical intervention helps the affected person to alleviate the existing symptoms. This is a routine treatment that is normally performed without further complications and is of short duration. Despite the generally good prognosis, a new fibroma can develop at any time during the patient’s life. This risk also exists in patients who have undergone surgical intervention. The new formation of the growths of connective tissue, as well as the spread of the symptoms, does not lead to any change in the favorable outlook.

Prevention

The causes of the development of fibroma are very difficult to identify. Many circumstances indicate that genetic factors play a decisive role. Thus, it is very difficult to prevent fibroma appropriately. Such skin changes, which are located in the area of the mouth, lips and cheek, are mostly caused by various injuries. Therefore, chewing on the cheek and lips should be avoided at all costs. Adequate hygiene can also counteract the formation of a fibroma. Genetic causes cannot be influenced.

Aftercare

Only limited measures or options for aftercare are available to the affected person in the case of a fibroma. First and foremost, the disease should be detected and treated at a very early stage so that there are no compilations and also no development of a tumor. For this reason, the main focus of the disease is early diagnosis with subsequent treatment. Even a removal is not always necessary. However, if there are aesthetic complaints, the fibroma can usually be removed relatively easily. In this case, the affected person is dependent on an uncomplicated surgical procedure. After this procedure, the affected person should rest and take care of his body. Strenuous or stressful activities should not be performed. The affected area in particular should be protected. After the procedure, regular examinations by a doctor are very useful in order to detect further complaints. Since the fibroma also leads to aesthetic restrictions, measures of a psychotic treatment are also necessary in some cases. However, conversations with friends or with the family can also be very helpful. Fibroma does not usually reduce the life expectancy of the affected person.

What you can do yourself

Removal of soft fibromas is often not necessary because they are benign growths. There is no health risk and the affected person can live with them. However, they often disturb the aesthetic sensation of the affected person depending on where these fibromas appear on the body. Soft fibroids can be easily removed with a home remedy. This remedy is apple cider vinegar, which is already available in most households. Fibromas on all parts of the body except those that appear on the face can be treated with apple cider vinegar. Fibromas on the face should be treated directly by a doctor. The apple cider vinegar is gently applied to the fibromas by the affected person using a piece of absorbent cotton. This procedure is best repeated three times a day for about two weeks until a change in the fibromas becomes visible. There is a change in the color of the fibromas. They turn dark and dry out. Then they detach from the skin of the affected person by themselves. If apple cider vinegar does not have the desired effect, a doctor should be consulted. In the case of pedunculated and smaller fibromas, they can also be removed by the affected person himself with sterile tweezers. However, this does not apply to large fibromas.