Immunohistochemical characterization of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with practical applications for diagnosis and treatment

Fine needle aspiration cytology of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans arising in a burn scar

Tumours developing after a protracted period of time in burn scars are a notable complication with carcinomas forming a major share. The occurrence of burn scar sarcomas is scarce with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) being an uncommon entity having only three prior reported cases. Herein we report a case of a 32-year-old male patient with a 5 year prior history of thermal burn who presented with an expanding painless swelling for 2 years in the right flank region, diagnosed as DFSP on fine needle aspiration cytology and subsequently confirmed on histopathology.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: A clinicopathological analysis of 10 cases in Asians

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a locally aggressive cutaneous neoplasm that exhibits a marked tendency for recurrence after local excision. This case series aims to study the clinical, histological and immunohistochemical features of DFSP in Asians. Ten patients with DFSP diagnosed between 1992 and 2001 were reviewed. There were more women than men in a ratio of 4:1. There were six Chinese, two Malays, one Indian and one Eurasian. The mean age was 38 years. The duration of each lesion before excision varied from 6 months to 27 years. Fifty per cent of tumours occurred on the trunk. On histology, all the lesions were dermal-centred spindle cell tumours, extending to the subcutis, and exhibited the characteristic storiform pattern. One tumour also demonstrated fibrosarcomatous changes. Two tumours were of the rare pigmented variant (Bednar tumour). Immunohistochemistry with CD34 was positive in all cases, except the fibrosarcomatous area of one tumour, which was negative for CD34. For comparison, six cases of deep-penetrating dermatofibroma were stained for CD34 and all showed an absence of CD34 expression. Wide excision of the tumour was performed in all cases of DFSP. There was no recurrence after mean follow up of 6 years (range 2.25-9.5 years).

A case of childhood dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans without detected cytogenetic abnormality

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, infiltrative skin tumour of intermediate malignancy, with a limited potential for metastasis but a high rate of recurrence; specific cytogenetic abnormalities are now known. Childhood DFSP has been considered a rarity in the past, but it is now recognized that many cases of childhood DFSP are diagnosed only in adulthood. Despite advances in the understanding of its pathogenesis as well as the development of valuable immunohistochemical and cytogenetic diagnostic techniques, there often remains a significant delay between the initial presentation and diagnosis of DFSP. We report a case of childhood DFSP in which the diagnosis was reached only after a nodular lesion developed in a plaque that was initially present. Causes for delay between initial presentation and diagnosis in childhood DFSP are discussed. Histology and immunostaining in our patient showed the typical features of DFSP, but the G-banded cytogenetic analysis of short-term tissue culture was negative. However, this technique offers only a detection rate between 50% and 80%. Clinicians should be aware of the limitations of newer diagnostic techniques. Increasing recognition amongst paediatricians and paediatric dermatologists that childhood DFSP is not as rare as once believed will probably lead to the use of newer diagnostic methods at an earlier stage, and so reduce the delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis.