Fibroepithelial nevus is a benign melanomoneurophic skin formation up to 1.5 cm in size, located on the leg and having a soft consistency. The pigmentation of the nevus can vary from the color of ordinary skin to brown. In the diagnosis of fibroepithelial nevus, the leading role is assigned to the examination of a dermatologist or dermatooncologist. Dermatoscopy, ultrasound and sciascopy are used. Already removed nevus is subjected to histology. It is possible to get rid of fibroepithelial nevus with the help of liquid nitrogen, electrocoagulation, radio wave method or laser removal.
ICD 10
D22 Melanoform nevus
General information
Fibroepithelial nevus may be congenital, appear in childhood or during puberty. Fibroepithelial nevi that have arisen in adulthood or old age are much less common. Together with intradermal pigment nevus, Setton’s nevus and papillomatous nevus, fibroepithelial nevus refers to melanomone-threatening pigment formations that are not prone to malignant degeneration into melanoma. This is a 100% benign neoplasm of the skin, which can cause the patient only one inconvenience — aesthetic.
Symptoms
Fibroepithelial nevus is a hemispherical formation of a soft and elastic consistency. Its diameter can range from a few millimeters to 1-1.5 cm. Such a nevus significantly protrudes above the general level of the skin, has a leg and somewhat resembles a papilloma. In this regard, it is also called fibropapilloma. The color of the nevus can be pink, reddish-pink, lilac, slightly bluish, rich brown, or it may not differ from the surrounding skin.
The surface of the nevus is usually smooth and smooth, often permeated with bristly or fluffy hairs. Often, especially in women, there are nevi permeated with a whole bunch of coarse hair. In some patients, there is a pronounced vascular component, manifested by multiple vascular asterisks forming a kind of grid on the surface of the nevus.
Fibroepithelial nevus may be a single formation, but there are cases of multiple appearance of such nevi in the amount of up to several dozen pieces. Fibroepithelial nevus has no specific location and is found on any part of the skin. However, its most frequent localization is the face and torso.
Nevus is characterized by slow growth and is not inclined to change its color or appearance. The only possible complication is inflammation of the nevus, which occurs in case of injury. It is manifested by the appearance of a red inflammatory rim around the base of the nevus.
Diagnostics
The diagnostic algorithm for suspected fibroepithelial nevus differs little from the general principles of the diagnosis of moles. A dermatologist or dermatooncologist conducts:
- nevus examination and dermatoscopy;
- siascopic examination;
Ultrasound of the formation to determine the depth of germination of nevus cells.
The final confirmation of the diagnosis is given by a histological examination, which is performed after the removal of the nevus. Differential diagnosis should be carried out with blue nevus, borderline pigmented nevus, papilloma, common wart, dermatofibroma
Treatment
The question of removing the fibroepithelial nevus is most often raised due to its aesthetic unsightliness, especially when the nevus is located on the skin of the face. Removal can be carried out in various ways – using:
- surgical excision;
- electrocoagulation;
- cryodestructions;
- laser coagulation;
- radio wave destruction.
It should be remembered that with cryodestruction, electrocoagulation and removal of moles by laser, subsequent histological examination of nevus tissues is impossible. However, in the case of fibroepithelial nevus, it may not be necessary. The main complication, the probability of which is not excluded after any of the methods of nevus removal, is its reappearance (relapse), which is usually associated with incomplete removal of nevus cells.
