Adipofibroma (a-di-po-fi-bro-ma) is a medical term used to describe a benign fatty tumor that is made up of fibrous tissues. The spelling of the word follows the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) rule, and each syllable is pronounced distinctly. The IPA phonetic transcription helps to understand the spelling and pronunciation of complex medical terms. Adipofibroma is a commonly occurring tumor that rarely causes any symptoms, but if it grows larger, it can cause pain and discomfort, requiring medical attention.
Adipofibroma is a medical term that refers to a rare benign tumor that primarily consists of mature adipose tissue (fat cells) and fibrous connective tissue. This tumor is most commonly found in the subcutaneous tissue, which is the fatty layer located just beneath the skin.
The word "adipofibroma" is derived from two key terms: "adipo," which refers to fat or adipose tissue, and "fibroma," which refers to a tumor made up of fibrous connective tissue. This combination accurately describes the nature of this type of tumor, which is characterized by a mixture of fatty cells and fibrous tissue.
Adipofibromas are typically slow-growing and asymptomatic, meaning they do not cause any noticeable symptoms in most cases. They are often discovered incidentally during a routine physical examination or diagnostic imaging tests conducted for unrelated reasons.
Histologically, adipofibromas possess a distinctive appearance under a microscope, with a well-circumscribed border separating the fatty and fibrous components. These tumors usually exhibit a lobulated or nodular pattern and are composed of mature adipocytes (fat cells) interspersed with collagen fibers.
Although adipofibromas are typically non-cancerous and do not pose a threat to overall health, they can occasionally grow large enough to cause discomfort or aesthetic concerns. In such cases, surgical excision may be considered for removal.
In summary, an adipofibroma is a rare benign tumor consisting of mature fat cells and fibrous connective tissue, commonly found in the subcutaneous tissue.
A mixed tumor with the characteristics of both adipoma and fibroma.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "adipofibroma" is derived from two main components: "adipo-" and "-fibroma".
1. "Adipo-" comes from the Latin word "adeps" meaning "fat" or "adipose tissue". It is often used as a prefix in medical terms related to fat cells or fatty tissues.
2. "-Fibroma" also has its origins in Latin, where "fibra" means "fiber" or "fibrous tissue". In medical terminology, "-fibroma" is used to describe a benign tumor or growth arising from fibrous tissues.
Therefore, when combined, "adipofibroma" refers to a benign tumor composed of both adipose (fatty) and fibrous tissues.