benign fibrous histiocytoma
Last reviewed 01/2018
Histiocytomas are tumours arising from primitive mesenchymal cells which occur predominantly in soft tissues, most often in relation to skeletal muscle. They contain macrophages or histiocytes.
These tumours generally occur in adults and are most common on the legs of young to middle-aged women.
The benign fibrous histiocytomas occur predominantly in the skin. These benign tumours are named depending on the predominant pattern and location:
- the most common form of fibrous histiocytoma is the dermatofibroma
- other forms of benign fibrous histiocytoma include fibroxanthomas, histiocytomas, xanthogranulomas, sclerosing haemangiomas