DERMATOFIBROSARCOMA PROTUBERANS: THE EXPERIENCES OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT THROUGH A RARE CASE REPORT

Abstract

Background: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is classified as a soft tissue sarcoma, representing a rare form of skin cancer. Despite its rarity, DFSP is acknowledged as the most common skin sarcoma. The clinical features of DFSP are highly varied, making early-stage diagnosis challenging. Treatment initiated at an advanced stage significantly increases the risk of DFSP recurrence.

Case Report: A 65-year-old female patient sought medical attention at our hospital due to a giant tumor on her central back. The lesion had initially appeared two years prior and had been initially misdiagnosed as keloids. Subsequently, the patient underwent intralesional steroid injections and surgery at a private clinic, but the lesion exhibited no improvement and relapsed within two months. Upon presenting to the National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, the patient displayed a brown-red raised tumor measuring approximately 8x4cm on her back. Given the suspicion of a cutaneous carcinoma, a biopsy was conducted. The histopathology and immunohistochemistry tests confirmed the diagnosis of DFSP. Consequently, the patient underwent wide excision of the lesion, including 3 cm of normal skin around it and deep into the fascia. No recurrence was recorded after one year of follow-up.

Conclusion: DFSP, a rare form of skin carcinoma, can be challenging to differentiate from various other conditions, including keloids. In cases where conventional treatments such as intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection show poor improvement for suspected keloids, DFSP should be considered and confirmed through histopathology and immunohistochemistry tests.

Received 28 June 2023
Revised 26 September 2023
Accepted 29 November 2023