(Synonyms: Molluscum Fibrosum; Fibroma Molluscum.)

What do you understand by fibroma?

Fibroma is a connective-tissue new growth characterized by one or more sessile or pedunculated, pea- to egg-sized or larger, soft or firm, rounded, painless tumors, seated beneath and in the skin.

Describe the clinical appearances of fibroma.

The growth may be single, in which case it is apt to be pedunculated or pendulous, and attain considerable dimensions; as a result of weight or pressure surface-ulceration may occur. Or, as commonly met with, the lesions are numerous, scattered over large surface, and vary in size from a pea to a cherry; the overlying skin being normal, pinkish or reddish, loose, stretched, hypertrophied or atrophied.

The tumors are painless. The general health is not involved.

Fig. 41.

Fibroma. (After Octerlony.)

What is the course of fibroma?

Chronic and persistent.

What is the etiology of fibroma?

The cause is not known. Heredity is often noted. The affection is not common.

State the pathology of fibroma.

The growths are variously thought to have their origin in the connective tissue of the corium, or in that of the walls of the hair-sac, or in the connective-tissue framework of the fatty tissue. Recent tumors are composed of gelatinous, newly-formed connective tissue, and the older growths of a dense, firmly-packed, fibrous tissue.

From what growths is fibroma to be differentiated?

From molluscum contagiosum, neuroma and lipoma; the first is differentiated by its central aperture or depression, neuroma by its painfulness, and lipoma by its lobulated character and soft feel.

Give the prognosis of fibroma.

The disease is persistent, and irresponsive to all treatment save operative measures.

What is the treatment of fibroma?

Treatment consists, when desired and practicable, in the removal of the growths by the knife, or in large and pedunculated tumors by the ligature or by the galvano-cautery.