Fibroma of the oral cavity

by Jason Wasserman MD PhD FRCPC
April 29, 2022

What is a fibroma of the oral cavity?

A fibroma is a very common non-cancerous growth in the oral cavity. Fibromas often stick out from the surface of the tissue. Other names for this type of growth are irritation fibroma and traumatic fibroma.

What causes a fibroma in the oral cavity?

Most fibromas in the oral cavity are caused by chronic irritation or trauma.

How do pathologists make the diagnosis of fibroma?

This diagnosis is usually made after the entire fibroma is removed in a procedure called a biopsy or an excision. The tissue is then sent to a pathologist for examination under the microscope.

What does a fibroma look like under the microscope?

When examined under the microscope, the surface of the fibroma is covered by squamous cells that normally cover the inside surface of the oral cavity. The rest of the fibroma is made up of dense connective tissue called collagen and long thin cells called fibroblasts.