Dermatofibrosarcoma
protuberans.
DFSP – very rare aggressive skin cancer.
Dermatofibrosarcoma Protruberans
DFSP is thankfully very rare.
Dermatofibrosarcoma
What is Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans?
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare type of cancer of the skin (1 in 100,000 people per year affected).
The condition is so rare that few doctors will ever see a case and the diagnosis will be made by the pathologist when an unusual skin lesion is removed for histology.
Who gets them?
Having said that, there are the things that just might lead someone to consider the diagnosis
- Slow Growing protuberant lump (hence the name protuberans)
- Infiltrating & Irregular: In other words, it looks & feels like a growth
- More common in young adults
What does Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans look like?
Naked Eye
The tumour is most commonly seen on the trunk, followed by the shoulder or limbs and least commonly on the face or neck.
The tumour is slow growing and eventually grows outwards from the skin to form multiple nodules that are pink, violet-red or skin coloured. Another presentation is that of a firm scar.
When you think about it, however, a lesion that looks very unusual will generally be biopsied anyway, and that’s when the diagnosis is made.
Gallery of Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
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