370 Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



Fibromata. A fibroma is an innocent growth composed 

 of completely developed fibrous tissue grouped in irregularly 

 arranged bundles. With other tissue elements the fibromata com- 

 monly form mixed tumors, such as fibro-myoma, or fibro-lipoma. 

 They are closely related to the hyperplasias of connective tissue re- 

 sulting from chronic irritation, and in some cases can hardly be 

 differentiated. For instance, the diffuse form of chronic interstitial 

 mastitis characterized by the proliferation and projection of con- 

 nective tissue might be equally well classified as a hyperplasia. 

 Froehner regards the fibromata as standing second to the carcino- 

 mata in frequency of occurrence, placing their percentage at thirteen. 



They exist generally singly, but are often found in numbers. 

 They are commonly hard, but may be soft when situated in the 

 looser textures^ and are of variable size and shape. In contrast 

 with the malignant 'tumors they are generally smaller, the average 

 size being that of a walnut; their growth is very slow, and they 

 remain quiescent for years. In further contrast with carcinomata 

 they are seen in quite young animals . ( from one to two years or 

 younger). Characteristic are their sharp demarcation from sur- 

 rounding textures, regularly firm consistence, intact surface, and 

 paucity of vascularity. They are sometimes rendered sore, how- 

 ever, by licking and gnawing. In shape they resemble a pea or 

 a nipple, and are occasionally pedunculate. 



Fibromata occur most frequently in the Dermis and Subcuticu- 

 lar connective tissue and exhibit a predilection for the Breast, 

 Extremities, Eyelids, Back, Tail, the Mammae, and Submucous 

 Tissue particularly of the Vagina and Uterus (Petit, Leisering, 

 Watson, Penberthy, Leblanc, Romani). Rigal saw a large fibroma 

 attached to the Gastro-colic Omentum. 



Ghondromata. Cartilaginous growths may be innocent or 

 malignant. Innocent chondromata are frequently of mixed type, 

 such as osteochondroma. Very often the chondromata are asso- 

 ciated with sarcomatous elements when they are more or less 

 malignant. Chondromata may also be malignant to the extent of 

 forming metastases without the secondary nodules being histolo- 

 gically true sarcoma. The following recorded cases will serve as 

 examples: Virchow described a large ossifying chondroma of the 

 mamma, and a large tumor with a cystic interior in the omentum. 

 On the lungs there were numerous small nodules, most of which 



