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What

Fibroma is a benign (noncancerous) tumor of connective tissue that can arise in many places in the body. Fibromas are composed mainly or wholly of fibrous or fully developed connective tissue, the tissue that makes up ligaments, tendons and fasciae (tissue that covers muscles and connects internal organs). Fibromas have a firm consistency, are irregular in shape and grow slowly. Fibroma is a general term, and tumors affecting many different parts of the body can be called fibromas. Fibromas can grow in the extremities, on the head, neck and breast, and in others areas, including the mouth, heart, kidney, ovary and Achilles tendon. Fibromas in bone tissue include fibrous cortical defect, nonossifying fibroma and active ossifying fibroma. In the heart, cardiac fibromas usually occur on the valve tissue and may be related to inflammation.

Who

Because there are so many kinds of fibromas, it is difficult to specify who gets them. A cardiac fibroma, a benign (non-malignant) congenital disease of the heart, affects young children, a third of whom are under the age of 6. Some people can get fibromas in the mouth from injury or irritation. Fibrous cortical defect is a bone condition occurring mainly in children over 2 years of age and characterized by one or more fibrous defects in the femur or other long bones of the lower limbs.

Signs and Symptoms

Generally, fibromas have few symptoms unless they cause pressure. Fibromas of the heart can cause arrhythmias and interfere with normal heart function.

Possible Causes

It is unclear how many fibromas develop. Again, certain fibromas occur in the mouth, apparently due to trauma or irritation.

Diagnosis

The process of diagnosis will depend on the area in which the fibroma arises. For fibromas in the mouth, a doctor or dentist may be able to diagnose the fibroma from observation and questions about any injury to the area. In other body parts, diagnosis may include X-rays (fibromas in bone tissue) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and computerized tomography (CT) scans.

Treatment

Surgery may be necessary to remove the tumor. Surgery can be simple if the fibroma is small and easily reached, or more involved if the fibroma is very large or deeper within the body. In some cases, such as nonossifying fibroma of bone, no treatment may be necessary, and the condition will correct itself. Skeletal surveys show that between 30 and 40 percent of children, particularly those of younger age, develop one or more fibrous cortical defects, which are usually small and asymptomatic, and gradually disappear, replaced by normal bone tissue.

Prognosis

Fibroma is a benign tumor, and prognosis is generally good compared with malignant types of tissue growth. However, because fibromas can grow aggressively, become large and interfere with normal functions, they may require more aggressive surgery. Your child’s specific prognosis will depend on many factors, such as the extent of the tumor, size and location, involvement of tissues and organs, the age and overall health of your child, the child's ability to tolerate specific medications, procedures or therapies, and new developments in treatment.

Connect with other parents

In the spirit of community and support, Madisons Foundation offers the unique service of connecting parents of children with rare diseases. If you would like to be connected to other parents of children with this disease, please fill out this brief form.

Weblinks

Bonetumor.org
A nice summary of fibromas

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Google Search for Fibroma

References and Sources

www.simplestepsdental.com//SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.31422/t.31671/pr.3.html?term=fibroma web1.tch.harvard.edu/cfapps/A2ZtopicDisplay.cfm?Topic=Nonossifying%20fibroma