[Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: case report].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a relatively rare, slow-growing, fibrohistiocytic sarcoma of intermediate malignancy. The tumor appears most frequently on the trunk and extremities as a slow-growing indurated plaque or nodule. It appears mostly between the second and fifth decades of life. METHODS: This is a case presentation of a 59-year-old woman with a 10 x 12 cm dermal erythematous plaque on the anterior chest wall. RESULTS: The patient has a two year history of painless tumor on the chest. The lesion started as a small erythematous plaque and gradually increased in size. At that time the histologic examination revealed a benign fibrous histiocytoma. Less than two years later the lesion was firm, painless to palpation and movable over deeper structures. The second histologic examination revealed a myxoid liposarcoma. The third incisional biopsy was diagnostic for DFSP showing a dermal tumor consiting of a storiform pattern with cartwheel-like cells arranged around collagenous hubs. The patient underwent a standard surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: We report an interesting case of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans where limitations of standard vertical histology section resulted in postponed conformation of the diagnosis.