Anatomical distribution and outcome of surgical excision of fibrokeratoma – a clinical analysis of 124 cases

Background Fibrokeratoma is a benign, cutaneous, fibrous tumor usually occurring on the digits. There is little data about their occurrence on nondigital areas and their surgical outcomes. Objectives We sought to retrospectively characterize the distribution and surgical outcome of fibrokeratoma. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical information of patients with a histopathological diagnosis of fibrokeratoma, including age, gender, lesion site, number of lesions, symptoms and signs, history of trauma, and any recurrence. Results We identified 124 patients diagnosed with fibrokeratoma in a 13‐year period. The mean age was 42 years. There was a male predilection (2 : 1), and all lesions were solitary. Twenty patients (16%) had symptoms, and 13 patients (10%) had a history of trauma. Thirty patients (24%) had lesions on nondigital areas, including the upper and lower extremities and buttocks. The overall recurrence rate was 4% (five cases). Among them, three recurrent lesions were located on the periungual area of the toe. Nine patients (7%) had giant fibrokeratoma (>1 cm) but none recurred. Conclusion Although most fibrokeratomas appeared on the digits, a certain number of cases (24%) were located on nondigital areas. The periungual area of the toe was the most common local recurrent site.