Recurring digital fibrous tumour of childhood. Case report and survey.

A case of recurring digital fibrous tumour of childhood and the results of the patho-anatomical and the ultrastructural studies of the tumour are reported. The patient was born with a tumour involving the fourth finger of the right hand and, at the age of 10 years, she had been treated for 8 recurrences or new tumours on her right, third, fourth, and fifth fingers. The case history and the morphological findings indicate a viral origin, but attempts to demonstrate papilloma virus were negative. The thirty published cases of recurring digital fibrous tumour of childhood are surveyed. So far, excision supplemented with skin grafting has been the standard treatment. The best results seem to be obtained by the widest possible excision without damaging the function of the digit. Amputation should be considered uitimum refugium. Distant metastases have never been observed in spite of the high frequency of local recurrence.