[Acquired fibro-keratoma. Report of 8 cases]

The acquired fibro-keratoma is a benign fibro-epithelial tumor of acquired nature. I was set apart as a distinct entity in 1968 by Bart et al. who named it "acquired digital fibro-keratoma". It is predominantly, although not exclusively, located on the fingers and toes, near the phalangeal joints. The authors report 8 personal cases and make a short general review of the disease. The lesion is slightly prominent, well defined and surrounded by a hyperkeratotic collar. It protrudes on the surface of the skin much like a hernia. Histologically, it is a dermo-epidermal tumor. There is a proliferation of connective tissue under the papillomatous, hyperacanthotic and orthokeratotic epidermis. The mature collagen bundles, voluminous fibroblasts and numerous enlarged capillaries are parallel to the vertical axis of the tumor. The acquired fibrokeratoma must be differentiated from other cutaneous tumors, particularly fibromas and Koënen's tumors. The etiology is unknown. However, it was found in some cases that a trauma had contributed to the development of the tumor. The only possible treatment is surgical excision.