Dermoscopy of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans: What Do We Know?

Gabriela F. Escobar; Caroline  K.  Ribeiro; Leandro L. Leite; Carolina R. Barone; André Cartell

doi:10.5826/dpc.0902a10

Dermoscopy of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans: What Do We Know?

Authors

Gabriela F. Escobar Department of Dermatology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2018-7100
Caroline K. Ribeiro Medical School, University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil
Leandro L. Leite Department of Dermatology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Brazil
Carolina R. Barone Department of Dermatology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Brazil
André Cartell Department of Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Brazil

Keywords:

dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, dermoscopy, nonmelanocytic skin cancer, malignant cutaneous tumor, soft tissue tumor

Abstract

Background: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an uncommon mesenchymal tumor of intermediate malignancy. Its rarity and slow progression often imply a delayed diagnosis. There are few previous reports of dermoscopic features of DFSP and most are single case descriptions.

Objectives: To report 2 cases of DFSP and their dermoscopic features, as well as conduct a review of all previous cases published addressing the use of dermoscopy in this tumor.

Methods: We conducted a literature search for all dermoscopic cases of DFSP. In addition, we presented 2 additional cases and compared them to the earlier findings.

Results: We summarized the main dermoscopic findings of DFSP based on analysis from 32 patients. The most common features of this tumor are the presence of vessels (81%), followed by a pigmented network (78%) and a pinkish background (66%).

Conclusions: DFSP can mimic benign lesions and the diagnosis may be challenging. Dermoscopy is an important tool that may enhance clinical suspicion toward the diagnosis of DFSP.

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