Reconstruction of a scalp and skull defect with free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap following dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

Evaluation of Tumor Cell Infiltration to the Skull in Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans of the Scalp: Case Report and Literature Review

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) originates from the dermal layer of the skin; the optimum treatment is an extended marginal resection. We describe a case of DFSP of the scalp with a skull invasive defect that was thoroughly examined pathologically to determine the optimum length of surgical margins. The tumor cells infiltrated up to 26 mm into the dermal tissues, whereas no infiltrating tumor cells were present in the skull, indicating the combination of marginal resection of the dermal tissues and lower of the skull can be a clinically relevant strategy for treatment of DFSP cases with skull invasion.

Reconstructive strategies for dermatofibrosarcomas of the face: role of regenerative dermal templates

BACKGROUND

Dermatofibrosarcomas protuberans is a challenging cutaneous tumor from an oncologic and reconstructive surgical point of view. Involvement of functionally and aesthetically sensitive areas, such as facial units, in young patients accounts for more demanding cases. An updated evaluation of most beneficial excisional/reconstructive strategies in these cases is still lacking.

METHODS

We investigated the potential of regenerative dermal templates in staged postoncologic reconstructive management of a young woman affected by a dermatofibrosarcomas protuberans of the forehead involving the frontal bone.

RESULTS

Final result was optimal in terms of cosmetic and functional recovery, obtaining a pliability, softness, and color similar to surrounding healthy skin.

CONCLUSION

In facial dermatofibrosarcomas protuberans, staged reconstruction with regenerative dermal templates provides a conservative yet safe and effective management, achieving optimal aesthetic outcomes. We suggest its adoption as first-line treatment in facial dermatofibrosarcomas protuberans that cannot be repaired by direct suture and in equivalent benign yet challenging cases.

Response of malignant scalp dermatofibrosarcoma to presurgical targeted growth factor inhibition

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an uncommon, locally aggressive, malignant cutaneous tumor that sparingly presents on the scalp. Dermatofibrosarcomas often result from the formation of a fusion oncogene on translocated or supernumerary ring chromosomes 17 and 22, causing the overexpression of PDGFRβ driven by the COL1A1 promoter. Because of uncertainty surrounding appropriate treatment of aggressive scalp DFSP, the authors performed an extensive review of the available data from a MEDLINE (Ovid) search to describe the clinical presentation and treatment options for this rare tumor. Their search identified 39 different cases, including the illustrative case presented in this study.

Adjuvant therapy for this malignant lesion is not universally established in the literature. In the present case, the authors successfully treated a locally invasive scalp DFSP with presurgical therapy that specifically inhibited the PDGFβ receptor. Imatinib significantly shrank the DFSP tumor mass, reduced hypervascularity, reduced metabolic activity on PET scanning, and permitted a safe gross-total resection. Although wide excision and Mohs micrographic surgery remain the standard surgical treatments for DFSP, the authors illustrate that presurgical chemotherapeutic treatment by imatinib provides a critical adjunct to traditional therapy.

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans of the Face: Surgical Management

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a locally aggressive, rarely metastatic, spindle cell tumor. It is most commonly found on the trunk and rarely on the head and neck. Recurrence has been found to be more common in the head and neck region, which may be attributable to delayed patient presentation or a reluctance for wide excision in that region. The authors report a rare case of DFSP presenting as a large mass of the face. Surgical treatment required aggressive local resection of the tumor, including the underlying maxillary antrum. The soft tissue was cleared by Mohs technique. More than one procedure was required to obtain clear bone margins. Adjuvant radiation therapy was used to gain local control. Reconstruction was performed using a cheek advancement flap, as well as a forehead flap and split-thickness graft to the donor site.