Recurring Digital Fibroma of Infancy | Spontaneous Remission Database

Abstract

Three typical cases of recurring digital fibroma of infancy are reported, with a follow-up of three to four years. In each case excision of the tumours during the first year of life was followed by recurrence and then by some degree of slow spontaneous resolution, in one case complete. A strictly conservative approach is recommended for three reasons: the difficulty of complete excision, the tendency to spontaneous regression and the facts that no case of metastasis and no case of persistence into adult life have yet been reported. Cytoplasmic inclusion bodies could not be demonstrated in the biopsy material from these cases, nor any virus.

Case Details

Personal Characteristics

A boy aged six months, fourth child of healthy parents

Clinical Characteristics

The tumour had appeared in the third month of life; it was about 5 millimeters in diameter, firm, not tender, and fixed to the skin but not to the underlying tissues. Biopsy showed a dermatofibroma with no sign of malignancy. The tumour then stared to grow more rapidly, and it was decided to excise it completely and apply a skin graft. Three months later a recurrence was excised. After three more months a second recurrence had occurred

Remission Characteristics

After four years this had disappeared and only a small local thickening is evident on the lateral aspect of the finger where the graft meets normal skin

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

Not discussed

Clinical Treatment

Excision of the tumours, application of a skin graft

Additional Notes

Parents refused further operations after the second recurrence. Cytoplasmic inclusion bodies could not be demonstrated in the biopsy material from these cases, nor any virus.