A case of childhood dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans without detected cytogenetic abnormality

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in an adolescent: a case report and review of the literature

Classically, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a disease of adults. The world literature revision shows that several pediatric cases have been reported so far; this might suggest that the number of infants with the condition might be larger than that estimated previously. Here, we report the 183rd case of histologically confirmed DFSP in young age. A 14-year-old white male patient came under our care for a slowly growing, pale brownish lesion on the neck skin. A biopsy specimen showed a DFSP. Subsequently, a wide surgery excision with 3 cm of resection margins including the underlying fascia was performed. To date, the patient has been in follow-up for 6 years without evidence of recurrent disease. The clinical features and treatment of DFSP diagnosed in childhood and adolescence reported in the published literature are reviewed to provide new insights about this rare entity. The aim is to emphasize the importance of biopsy for histologic evaluation in the cases that show a persistent or a large cutaneous plaque or nodule without pathognomonic clinical features that permit a clinical diagnosis. An accurate knowledge of the disease is the prerequisite for a wider recognition and appropriate treatment.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in childhood

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a fibrohistiocytic tumor of intermediate malignancy that is very rare in childhood. Only 6% of these tumors present in children. Clinical diagnosis is very difficult in the early stages of disease, but to ensure appropriate treatment it is important to identify DFSP as early as possible and rule out benign conditions that are more common at this age. The clinical presentation and histopathologic and molecular characteristics of DFSP are similar in children and adults. Clinical diagnosis is, however, more difficult in children and requires a high degree of suspicion. The absence of characteristic features and the rarity of this tumor explain why diagnosis is often delayed. Complete surgical excision of the tumor is very important to reduce the risk of recurrence. This article presents a review of current knowledge about the management of DFSP in children and examines the latest treatment options.

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans in Childhood

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a fibrohistiocytic tumor of intermediate malignancy that is very rare in childhood. Only 6% of these tumors present in children. Clinical diagnosis is very difficult in the early stages of disease, but to ensure appropriate treatment it is important to identify DFSP as early as possible and rule out benign conditions that are more common at this age. The clinical presentation and histopathologic and molecular characteristics of DFSP are similar in children and adults. Clinical diagnosis is, however, more difficult in children and requires a high degree of suspicion. The absence of characteristic features and the rarity of this tumor explain why diagnosis is often delayed. Complete surgical excision of the tumor is very important to reduce the risk of recurrence. This article presents a review of current knowledge about the management of DFSP in children and examines the latest treatment options.

A case of childhood dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the face

We report an extremely rare case of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans located on the face of an 8-year-old boy. Although dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans typically has intermediate malignancy, the tumor in the present case was highly invasive and required a multistaged operation, including wide resection and full-thickness skin grafting. These operations were successfully performed, and the patient is alive without recurrence for 7 years.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in childhood: two case reports and review of the literature

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare skin cancer with intermediate malignancy, characterized by a progressive local growth and a propensity for local recurrence. DFSP is most frequent in adults; however, in recent years, DFSP in childhood emerged to be more common than previously believed. Unfortunately DFSP in children may be misdiagnosed, leading to a delay in the treatment. The authors report two cases of childhood DFSP with unusual clinical presentation: a congenital nodular variant and an atrophic variant developed at 2 years of age, both with acral localization. They highlight the importance of an early diagnosis by pediatricians and dermatologists to ensure an appropriate complete excision and reduce the risks of recurrences.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in childhood and adolescence: report of eight patients

We reviewed all occurrences of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in children under 17 years of age who were evaluated at Sainte-Justine Hospital, a tertiary-care pediatric center, between 1980 and 2002. The medical records and histologic features of all were reviewed. Eight patients were identified, three boys and five girls. The interval between apparent onset and diagnosis ranged from 3 months to 14 years. All lesions except one were removed by surgical excision with a margin of 1.5 to 3 cm including underlying fascia or by Mohs technique. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 15 years with median of 5 years. To date all the patients are alive and none has had a recurrence.

Congenital dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: 30 years of follow-up

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare fibrohistiocytic tumor that commonly appears in adult patients. Few cases of DFSP in childhood have been reported. We describe a case of congenital DFSP that had been incompletely excised in childhood, and again at 28 years of age. The 33-year-old woman presented with a recurrence. When comparing the histologic features of the previous specimens excised in 1970 and 30 years later, the similar typical storiform pattern of fibromatous cells was found. The small number of proliferation-marker-positive cells was not altered over the course of 30 years. In line with a few additional reports, we suggest that congenital dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a tumor with a low malignant potential.