A fibroma is a benign growth made up of fibrous or connective tissue, and it can appear in a surprising number of places throughout the body, from the skin and mouth to the bones, uterus, ovaries, and even the heart. Because the term covers such a broad family of growths, the experience of having “a fibroma” varies enormously depending on where it develops. Most fibromas are harmless, slow-growing, and discovered by accident. A few types, however, cause real symptoms, recur stubbornly after treatment, or serve as warning signs for hereditary conditions that require closer monitoring.
The Many Types of Fibromas
The word fibroma is essentially an umbrella term for any benign tumor built primarily from connective-tissue cells called fibroblasts. What separates one type from another is mainly location, and each location brings its own clinical personality.
- Skin fibromas: These include soft fibromas (skin tags) and firmer dermatofibromas. Skin tags are extremely common, especially in skin folds like the neck, armpits, and groin. Dermatofibromas tend to appear on the limbs as small, firm bumps that dimple inward when pinched.
- Oral fibromas: Often called irritation fibromas, these develop inside the mouth as smooth, painless lumps on the inner cheeks, lips, or tongue. They typically form at a site of repeated trauma, such as where a person habitually bites the inside of their cheek.
- Uterine fibroids: Technically leiomyomas rather than true fibromas, these are the most commonly diagnosed growths of the female reproductive tract. They consist of smooth muscle and fibrous tissue within or around the uterus.
- Ovarian fibromas: Solid tumors of the ovary composed of spindle-shaped stromal cells. They are benign but can occasionally cause fluid accumulation in the abdomen and chest.
- Non-ossifying fibromas: Benign bone lesions found mainly in children and adolescents, usually near the knee. They are among the most common incidental bone findings in young people and almost always resolve on their own.
- Cardiac fibromas: Rare tumors within the heart muscle, most often diagnosed in infancy or childhood. They can interfere with heart rhythm and sometimes require surgical removal.
- Plantar fibromas: Firm nodules embedded in the thick band of tissue on the sole of the foot. They belong to a group called fascial fibromatoses, which also includes Dupuytren’s contracture in the hand.
- Desmoid tumors: Also known as desmoid-type fibromatosis, these are locally aggressive growths that do not spread to distant organs but can invade surrounding tissues and are notoriously difficult to manage.
A few rarer varieties round out the list, including fibromas of the tendon sheath, nuchal fibromas along the back of the neck, and infantile digital fibromatosis in young children. Each type behaves differently enough that knowing the name alone does not tell you much about the outlook without also knowing where it sits.
What Causes a Fibroma to Develop
For most fibromas, the honest answer is that we do not fully understand what triggers them. That said, a few patterns emerge across the different types.
Chronic irritation or trauma is the clearest driver for certain soft-tissue fibromas. Oral irritation fibromas, for example, develop at the exact spot where repeated biting or rubbing occurs. The pathogenesis involves trauma, chronic inflammation, or both, whether from a single bite injury or habitual cheek chewing.1PubMed Central. Biting Fibroma of the Lower Lip: A Case Report and Literature Review on an Irritation Fibroma Occurring at the Traumatic Site of a Tooth Bite Skin tags similarly show signs of an inflammatory process: studies have found elevated levels of mast cells and inflammatory signaling molecules like TNF-α in skin tag tissue compared to normal skin, which supports the idea that friction and microtrauma play a role in their formation.2Wolters Kluwer — Medknow Publications. The Possible Role of Trauma in Skin Tags Through the Release of Mast Cell Mediators
Hormonal influence is particularly relevant for uterine fibroids. These growths are sensitive to estrogen and progesterone, which is why they tend to appear during the reproductive years and often shrink after menopause. The global data bear this out: women aged 35 to 39 and older face the highest risk, with incidence peaking in the 45-to-49 age group.3Archives of Medical Science. Global epidemiological characteristics of uterine fibroids Race is also a significant factor. A large U.S. population study found that Black women had a fibroid prevalence of about 18.5%, roughly double the rate seen in other racial and ethnic groups.4American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. A US population-based study of uterine fibroid diagnosis incidence, trends, and prevalence: 2005 through 2014
Genetics plays a more direct role in desmoid-type fibromatosis. Many desmoid tumors harbor mutations in a gene called CTNNB1 (which helps regulate cell growth) or in APC (a tumor-suppressor gene). However, not all desmoid tumors fit neatly into that framework. In at least one documented case, a mesenteric desmoid tumor carried no mutations in either APC or CTNNB1, but instead showed changes in two other genes, RAD51C and MYST3, whose significance remains uncertain.5PubMed Central. RAD51C and MYST3 Mutations in a Case of Desmoid-Type Fibromatosis With No Mutation in CTNNB1 or APC The molecular picture, in other words, is still incomplete.
For non-ossifying fibromas in bone, there is no well-established cause at all. They seem to be developmental quirks that arise during periods of rapid skeletal growth and are considered self-limiting.6PubMed Central. Non-Ossifying Fibromas: A 2025 Review
Symptoms and How Fibromas Are Discovered
Many fibromas produce no symptoms whatsoever. Skin tags are visible nuisances but rarely hurt. Non-ossifying fibromas in bone are usually found by accident when an X-ray is taken for an unrelated injury. Ovarian fibromas are often discovered incidentally during imaging for something else.
When fibromas do cause trouble, the symptoms depend entirely on where the growth sits and what it presses against. An oral fibroma may feel like a persistent lump that gets caught between the teeth. A uterine fibroid can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, frequent urination, or pain during periods. A plantar fibroma on the sole of the foot can make walking uncomfortable, especially in shoes. And a fibroma of the tendon sheath in the wrist or hand can compress nearby nerves. In one reported case, a fibroma on the brachioradialis tendon sheath compressed the superficial branch of the radial nerve, causing sensory symptoms in the hand.7PubMed Central. Superficial radial nerve compression due to fibroma of the brachioradialis tendon sheath: A case report
Ovarian fibromas deserve a specific mention because of a rare complication called Demons-Meigs syndrome, in which the tumor triggers fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites) and around the lungs (pleural effusion).8Radiology Case Reports. Demons-Meigs syndrome caused by a giant ovarian fibroma: A case report When this happens alongside elevated CA-125 levels in the blood, the picture can closely mimic ovarian cancer, which leads to understandable alarm before the true diagnosis is confirmed.9Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences. Meigs syndrome revealed by bilateral ovarian fibroma in postmenopausal woman The good news is that once the fibroma is removed, the fluid accumulation resolves.
Cardiac fibromas are the most clinically urgent variety. Because they grow within the heart wall, they can disrupt electrical conduction and cause arrhythmias. In children and infants, a cardiac fibroma may be detected after unexplained heart rhythm abnormalities or, in severe cases, signs of heart failure.
Treatment Approaches
Treatment varies as much as the fibromas themselves. For many types, doing nothing is a perfectly reasonable plan.
Observation and Watchful Waiting
Non-ossifying fibromas in bone rarely require treatment. They tend to fill in with normal bone over time as a child finishes growing. When treatment is needed, bone graft substitutes like beta-tricalcium phosphate have shown reliable remodeling regardless of lesion size.10Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo. Comparative healing outcomes after β-tricalcium phosphate grafting in pediatric aneurysmal bone cysts, simple bone cysts and non-ossifying fibroma Small uterine fibroids that are not causing symptoms also typically just get monitored with periodic imaging.
Surgical Excision
Surgery remains the standard treatment when a fibroma needs to be removed. For oral irritation fibromas, a simple outpatient excision usually resolves the problem permanently. Diode lasers have emerged as an alternative to the scalpel for oral soft-tissue fibromas, with the potential for less bleeding and less postoperative pain.11PubMed Central. Removal of an Extra-large Irritation Fibroma With a Combination of Diode Laser and Scalpel
Cardiac fibromas represent the high-stakes end of fibroma surgery. Complete excision is the goal and can resolve arrhythmias immediately. In one case, a large right ventricular fibroma was completely excised with reconstruction of the ventricle, and the patient remained symptom-free with no recurrence over three years of follow-up.12PubMed Central. Right Ventricular Reconstruction After Complete Excision of a Huge Cardiac Fibroma But these tumors can recur. A separate case documented a late recurrence five years after successful excision, with infiltrative regrowth at the margin of the surgical patch that ultimately could not be completely re-removed.13World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews. Cardiac ventricular fibroma with surgical excision, late recurrence and refractory heart failure: Case report and a brief review of the literature These contrasting outcomes illustrate how unpredictable even benign tumors can be in critical locations.
Minimally Invasive Options for Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids have the widest menu of treatment options because they are so common and affect so many women during their reproductive years. Beyond medication and traditional surgery, two minimally invasive procedures have gained traction.
Uterine artery embolization (UAE) works by blocking the blood vessels that feed the fibroid, causing it to shrink. In one study, UAE reduced total fibroid volume by about 60% at six months.14QJM: An International Journal of Medicine. Role of Uterine Artery Embolization Using Combination of Gel Foam and Microspheres in Treatment of Uterine Fibroid A comparative study found UAE reduced volume by roughly 54% over a year, outperforming focused ultrasound ablation, which achieved about a 35% reduction in the same time frame.15Journal of obstetrics and women’s diseases. Evaluation of the effectiveness of innovative methods of focused ultrasound and uterine artery embolization in the treatment of uterine fibroids
Microwave ablation is another option being studied. A randomized trial comparing it to UAE found that while UAE achieved somewhat greater volume reduction (about 62% versus about 42%), the two techniques produced similar improvements in symptoms and quality of life. The microwave group, however, spent fewer days in the hospital and took less time off work.16PubMed. Ultrasound guided microwave ablation compared to uterine artery embolization treatment for uterine fibroids – a randomized controlled trial For women who want to avoid surgery and are primarily looking for symptom relief, these procedures represent meaningful alternatives.
The Recurrence Problem
One of the most frustrating aspects of certain fibromas is their tendency to come back after treatment. This is not equally true across all types, but for plantar fibromas and desmoid tumors in particular, recurrence is a defining challenge.
Plantar fibromatosis, also known as Ledderhose disease, is especially stubborn. A long-term study found an overall recurrence rate of 60% after surgical treatment. The type of surgery mattered enormously: local excision of just the nodule was associated with virtually certain recurrence, while total removal of the plantar fascia brought the rate down to about 25%. Adding postoperative radiation therapy appeared to lower it further.17PubMed. Recurrence of plantar fibromatosis after plantar fasciectomy: single-center long-term results A more recent systematic review confirmed the pattern, reporting recurrence rates of roughly 67% after local excision, 42% after wider resection, and 27% after full fasciectomy.18PubMed. Recurrence Rate After Wide Resection of Plantar Fibromatosis: A Case Series and Systematic Literature Review
Fibromas of the tendon sheath have traditionally been described as having low recurrence, but some researchers suspect this is misleading. A review of the literature suggested that many recurrences go undetected because follow-up periods in published studies are simply too short.19PubMed Central. Is the Recurrence of Fibroma of the Tendon Sheath Underestimated? An Instructive Case Report and a Review of the Literature A fibroma that reappears two or three years after surgery might never be reported if the study only tracked patients for one year.
The takeaway is practical: if you have had a fibroma removed, particularly from the foot or hand, continued follow-up beyond the first year is worth discussing with your doctor, even if the initial surgery seemed straightforward.
Fascial Fibromatosis and Its Family Connections
Dupuytren’s contracture (thickening and tightening of tissue in the palm) and Ledderhose disease (plantar fibromatosis on the sole of the foot) are both classified as superficial fascial fibromatoses. They are, in a sense, the same disease process occurring in different locations, and they can co-occur in the same person.
A study examining men with Dupuytren’s disease found that about 15% also had plantar nodules consistent with Ledderhose disease, compared to roughly 4% in a matched control group. The association was even stronger among men who had more severe Dupuytren’s disease or a family history of the condition.20PubMed. Association of Morbus Ledderhose with Dupuytren’s contracture If you have been diagnosed with one of these conditions, it is worth mentioning to your doctor if you notice unexplained nodules in the other location. Peyronie’s disease, which involves fibrous plaque formation in the penis, is sometimes grouped into this same family of fibromatoses, though the shared biology is still debated.
When Fibromas Point to a Hereditary Syndrome
Most fibromas are isolated findings with no broader genetic implications. Occasionally, though, certain types appear as part of a hereditary syndrome, and recognizing the pattern can be genuinely important.
Cowden syndrome is a rare inherited condition caused by mutations in the PTEN gene. It predisposes people to various benign and malignant tumors, and one of its clinical markers is the development of multiple sclerotic fibromas on the skin. In one reported case, a man with multiple cutaneous sclerotic fibromas was ultimately diagnosed with a previously unrecognized Cowden syndrome, leading to screening that would not otherwise have occurred.21PubMed Central. Multiple sclerotic fibromas of the skin: an important clue for the diagnosis of Cowden syndrome
Gardner syndrome, a variant of familial adenomatous polyposis, is another hereditary condition associated with fibromas. Nuchal fibromas, uncommon soft-tissue tumors arising along the back of the neck, are frequently linked to Gardner syndrome.22PubMed. Multiple nuchal fibromas in a 2-year-old without Gardner syndrome This connection is clinically relevant because Gardner syndrome carries a very high risk of colorectal cancer. A fibroma on the back of the neck is obviously not dangerous in itself, but it can be the first visible sign that prompts genetic testing and colonoscopy screening that may save a life. That said, nuchal fibromas can also occur sporadically without any underlying syndrome, so their presence does not automatically mean Gardner syndrome is involved.
Fibromas in Children
Fibromas are not limited to adults. Non-ossifying fibromas in bone are actually most common in children and adolescents, and as noted earlier, they almost always resolve without intervention as the skeleton matures.
Infantile digital fibromatosis is a rare but distinctive variety that appears as firm nodules on the fingers and toes of infants and very young children. Under the microscope, these tumors contain characteristic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies that help distinguish them from other growths.23PubMed Central. Infantile Digital Fibromatosis/Inclusion Body Fibromatosis: A Comprehensive Literature Review Treatment has evolved over time. Surgery was once the first-line approach, but it has fallen out of favor because recurrence rates after surgical excision are extremely high, estimated at 61% to 74%.24PubMed Central. An Algorithmic Approach to the Management of Infantile Digital Fibromatosis: Review of Literature and a Case Report Today, observation is typically preferred unless the growth is causing pain or joint deformity, with options like steroid injections available for symptomatic cases. Many of these tumors eventually regress on their own.
Cardiac fibromas, though rare, are the second most common primary heart tumor in children after rhabdomyomas. They present unique challenges because of their location, and management decisions involve weighing the risks of surgery against the arrhythmia or obstruction the tumor is causing.
Fibromas in Animals
Fibromas are not a uniquely human condition. They appear across a range of species, and veterinary pathology offers an interesting parallel perspective. Ossifying fibromas, for instance, are benign fibro-osseous tumors that originate from membranous bones and have been most commonly documented in horses. They occur in dogs as well, though they remain uncommon. One case report described an ossifying fibroma on the zygomatic bone (the cheekbone) of a nine-year-old Hungarian Vizsla, only the second such case documented in that location in a dog. The tumor was successfully removed with a zygomatic arch ostectomy and the dog had an excellent long-term outcome.25PubMed Central. Surgical management of ossifying fibroma in a 9-year-old Hungarian Vizsla: a case report and review of the literature
Deer and other wildlife also develop fibromas, sometimes dramatically. Cutaneous fibromas in white-tailed deer, caused by a papillomavirus, can produce large wart-like growths on the skin that look alarming but are generally benign and often regress spontaneously. The biology is quite different from human fibromas, but the shared terminology can lead to confusion when hunters or property owners encounter these growths and turn to the internet for answers. In veterinary as in human medicine, the word fibroma describes an appearance and a tissue type rather than a single disease, and the prognosis depends entirely on the specifics.