Abstract

Background:


Cutaneous benign fibrous histiocytoma, or dermatofibroma (DFM), is a benign, soft tissue tumour that is sometimes a differential of more sinister skin neoplasms. There are no known documented or published studies from our environment as to the pattern of this relatively common lesion. This study therefore, was conducted to determine the prevalence, age and sex distribution of dermatofibroma as seen in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.


Methods:


A 10-year retrospective descriptive study was carried out to investigate the epidemiological andpathological characteristics of dermatofibroma in this region. The data for the study was gotten from the surgical pathology register, histology request forms, duplicate copies of the histology reports and patient case notes. Histology slides were retrieved, reviewed under the light microscope and the diagnoses recorded against the corresponding patients’ names on a data spread sheet. The data obtained was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 16 (SPSS 16, SPSS Inc. Chicago, Illinois, United States of America).


Results:


Twenty-one cases of DFM were recorded, which represented 5.6% and 11.17 % of all skin tumours and benign skin tumours respectively during the period under review. Twelve (12) cases occurred in males, while 9 cases occurred in females, giving a male to female ratio of 1.3:1. The peak incidence in males and females was in the 3rd and 4th decades respectively. The lower limb (50% of cases) was the most common site for DFM followed by the neck region (44%) and trunk (6%).


Conclusion:


This study showed that DFM was more common in males and peaked in the younger age groups. The lower limbs are the most common site for the development of the lesion