It’s one of those moments, isn’t it? You’re just going about your day, maybe showering or getting dressed, and your fingers brush against something new. A little bump. A lump. And your mind, well, it can start racing, can’t it? “What is this?” is often the first thought. If you’ve found a lump and you’re wondering if it could be a fibroma, you’re in the right place. Let’s talk about what these are, because knowledge is a comforting thing.
What Exactly Is a Fibroma, Doc?
Okay, so a fibroma is basically a little collection of cells, specifically fibrous or connective tissue cells, that have decided to group together and form a growth. Think of connective tissue as the body’s scaffolding – it’s everywhere, holding things together. That’s why a fibroma can pop up almost anywhere on or in your body.
The really good news? Most fibromas are benign. That’s a word we doctors use to mean noncancerous. They’re usually not something to cause huge alarm. Now, there’s a different, much rarer beast called a fibrosarcoma – that one is cancerous, but it’s important to know they are not the same thing as a common fibroma.
What Might You Notice? Common Fibroma Signs
Many times, a fibroma is a silent little tenant; you might not even know it’s there unless it’s found by chance. But sometimes, they do make their presence known. What you experience really depends on what type of fibroma it is and where it’s decided to set up shop.
Different Kinds of Fibromas and Their Clues
There are quite a few types, but here are some of the ones I see or hear about most often in my practice:
- Plantar Fibroma: This one’s a lump or knot in the tough band of tissue in the arch of your foot (that’s your plantar fascia). You might feel a firm spot there, and oh boy, can it make walking or even just standing painful for some folks.
- Non-ossifying Fibroma: This is a bit of a mouthful! It’s a benign bone tumor, but it’s not actually made of bone tissue itself; it’s more like scar-like tissue growing on the bone. We see these quite a bit in healthy kids, actually – up to 20% to 40% might have one. Usually, they don’t cause any pain unless they get pretty big. So, if you’re a parent and this has been mentioned for your child, it’s often just a ‘watch and wait’ situation.
- Angiofibroma: These are little growths made of blood vessels and fibrous tissue. They often look like small, reddish, pink, or even flesh-colored bumps, almost like persistent pimples, typically on the cheeks or nose.
- Dermatofibroma: These can show up anywhere on your skin. I often see them on the upper arms, lower legs, or upper back. They feel like hard little buttons or lumps just under the skin surface. Their color can range from your normal skin tone to a tan, pink, or even a deep purple. Sometimes they’re just there, causing no trouble. Other times, they might:
- Itch a bit
- Change color over time
- Feel tender if you press on them
- Oral Fibroma: Ever bitten your cheek? Yeah, ouch. Sometimes, repeated irritation like that can cause a smooth little lump to form inside your mouth, often on the cheek where your teeth meet. We call these irritation fibromas or traumatic fibromas. They’re usually the same color as the rest of your mouth lining.
- Uterine Fibroids: This is a big one for women. These are fibromas that grow on the wall of the uterus – sometimes inside, sometimes outside. A woman might have just one, or several, and they can be tiny or quite large. Up to 70% of women might develop one in their lifetime, often in their 30s and 40s. They seem to be more common in Black women. Symptoms can really vary. Some women have no idea they’re there, while for others, they can cause:
- Pelvic pain or a feeling of pressure
- Low back pain
- Trouble with bladder (like needing to go often) or bowels
- Painful intercourse (we call this dyspareunia)
- Irregular periods
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Bleeding between periods
- Sometimes, even difficulties with infertility
What Makes a Fibroma Develop?
This is the million-dollar question, and honestly, for some types, we just don’t have a clear-cut answer.
- Plantar fibromas and non-ossifying fibromas? The exact cause is often unknown. Genetics might play a role with plantar fibromas, as they seem more common in people of European descent.
- Angiofibromas often have a genetic link, where cells just grow a bit too enthusiastically.
- Dermatofibromas and oral fibromas can be a reaction to a small injury or irritation – think a bug bite, a splinter, or as I said, biting your cheek. Some medications might also be a trigger.
- Uterine fibroids are quite clearly linked to hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone. We know this because fibroid cells have more receptors for these hormones, and fibroids often shrink after menopause when hormone levels drop.
How We Figure Out It’s a Fibroma and What We Do Next
So, you’ve found that lump, or you’re having symptoms, and you come to see me or another healthcare provider. What happens then?
Getting to a Diagnosis
First off, we’ll chat. I’ll ask you about your symptoms, when you noticed the lump, any changes, and your general medical history. Then, I’ll do a physical examination, which means carefully feeling the area.
Depending on what we suspect, we might need a bit more information. This could involve:
- Imaging tests: These help us see what’s going on inside.
- An ultrasound is common, especially for things like uterine fibroids.
- An X-ray might be used for bone-related fibromas.
- A bone scan, CT scan (Computed Tomography), or MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) can give us even more detailed pictures if needed.
- Sometimes, particularly for skin growths or if there’s any uncertainty, we might do a biopsy. This sounds scarier than it often is. We simply take a tiny sample of the tissue from the growth, and a specialist called a pathologist looks at it under a microscope to confirm what it is.
Treating a Fibroma (Or Not!)
Here’s a key thing to remember: many fibromas don’t actually need any treatment at all. If it’s not cancerous (which most aren’t) and it’s not bothering you, we might just keep an eye on it. “Watchful waiting,” we sometimes call it.
But if a fibroma is causing pain, discomfort, or other problems, then yes, we’ll talk about options. Treatment really depends on the type:
- Plantar Fibromas: We usually start with simple things like special shoe inserts (orthotics), stretching exercises, or sometimes corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation. Surgery is rarely the first port of call.
- Non-ossifying Fibromas (in kids): Often, no treatment is needed. We just monitor it. If it gets very large and there’s a concern it might weaken the bone, then removing it might be recommended.
- Angiofibromas: If these are bothersome or you want them removed for cosmetic reasons, options include cryotherapy (freezing), laser treatment, or dermabrasion (sanding the skin).
- Dermatofibromas: These can be surgically removed, usually as a simple outpatient procedure. It’s good to know that removal will leave a small scar. Cryotherapy is another option.
- Oral Fibromas: If needed, these are usually surgically removed. It’s also important to try and manage whatever was causing the irritation, because they can sometimes come back.
- Uterine Fibroids: There are many approaches here! For some, medications can help manage symptoms. Uterine artery embolization is a procedure that can shrink fibroids by cutting off their blood supply. If fibroids are causing severe symptoms or affecting fertility, surgery to remove them (a myomectomy) might be an option. There are lots of choices to discuss.
We’ll always talk through all the options available for you and what makes the most sense for your specific situation.
Take-Home Message: Key Things to Remember About Fibromas
It’s a lot to take in, I know. So, let’s boil it down:
- A fibroma is a common, usually noncancerous (benign) growth of connective tissue.
- They can appear almost anywhere in or on your body.
- Many fibromas cause no symptoms and don’t need treatment.
- Symptoms, if they occur, depend on the fibroma’s type and location (e.g., pain with plantar fibromas, heavy bleeding with uterine fibroids).
- Diagnosis involves a physical exam and sometimes imaging tests or a biopsy.
- If treatment is needed, options vary widely, from simple measures to medication or surgery, depending on the specific fibroma.
- The most important thing? If you find a new lump or are having unusual symptoms, don’t just worry – come and see us. We can figure out what’s going on.
You’re Not Alone in This
Finding any new change in your body can be unsettling. But remember, when it comes to something like a fibroma, there are usually straightforward explanations and, if needed, effective ways to manage it. We’re here to help you through it.