Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: the diagnosis of high-grade fibrosarcomatous transformation

Review of primary superficial soft tissue mesenchymal tumors of malignant or intermediate biological potential

The majority of the sarcomas are deep in location, larger than 5 cm in size, and heterogenous in imaging appearance. However, when sarcomas occur superficially, these typical features may be absent, failing to alert the radiologist to a malignancy and mimicking one of the more numerous benign superficial tumors that make up the bulk of soft tissue mass evaluations. This manuscript will discuss the current role of imaging in recognizing features concerning for superficial soft tissue sarcomas. Provided is an overview of the demographic, clinical, and imaging features of the most commonly encountered superficial soft tissue sarcomas, including undifferentiated pleomorphic, leiomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, liposarcoma, myxofibrosarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, epithelioid sarcoma, and angiosarcoma. A less common but primary superficial tumor, angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma, is also reviewed as the diagnosis may be confounding both clinically and on imaging studies.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans surgery: Experiences of four African surgical oncology units and literature review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Dermatofibrosarcoma is a locally malignant tumor. This gives surgery a place of choice. The advent of imatinib has improved outcomes. Our aim is to describe the indications, techniques and results of surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective, multicenter, descriptive study conducted in four West African surgical oncology units. It covers dermatofibrosarcoma surgery performed between January 1, 1988 and December 31, 2020. We took into account the surgical procedure, the mode of skin coverage, adjuvant treatments and survival. Comparisons were possible using Student's t-test and Pearson's χ² .

RESULTS

We recorded 81 cases of dermatofibrosarcoma. Surgery was effective in 90.1% of cases. Wide resection was the principle with a mean resection margin of 3.8 ± 1.9 cm. healing by primary intention, flaps and healing by secondary intention were the methods of skin coverage in 30.1%, 24.7% and 41.1% respectively. The type of skin coverage was related to the topography and size of the tumor (p < 0.0001). The healing time is associated with the type of skin cover. The recurrence rate was not related to the type of skin coverage (p = 0.8).

CONCLUSIONS

Wide and deep resection in the absence of Mohs micrographic surgery ensures healthy margins. Oncoplasty reduces the healing time without increasing the risk of recurrence.