Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans Classification and external resources
Histopathological image of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Local recurrence long after the first excision. H&E stain.
ICD-O:	8833/3
OMIM	607907
DiseasesDB	31601
eMedicine	derm/97

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare neoplasm of the dermis layer of the skin,^[1] and is classified as a sarcoma. In many respects, the disease behaves as a benign tumor, but in 2-5% of cases it can metastasize, so it should be considered to have malignant potential.

Pathophysiology

Over 95% of DFSP tumors have the chromosomal translocation t(17;22). The translocation fuses the collagen gene (COL1A1) with the platelet-derived growth factor gene. The fibroblast, the cell of origin of this tumor, expresses the fusion gene in the belief that it codes for collagen. However the resulting fusion protein is processed into mature platelet-derived growth factor which is a potent growth factor. Fibroblasts contain the receptor for this growth factor. Thus the cell "thinks" it is producing a structural protein, but in fact produces a self-stimulatory growth signal. The cell divides rapidly and a tumor forms.

Treatment

Treatment is primarily surgical, with chemotherapy and radiation therapy sometimes being used.

There is clinical evidence that imatinib, which inhibits PDGFB, may be effective for tumors positive for the t(17;22) translocation.

MOHS surgery can be extremely effective. It will remove the tumor and all related pathological cells without a wide-area excision that may overlook sarcoma cells that have penetrated muscle tissue.

Additional images

References

External links

• humpath #346 (Pathology images)
• Thesis on DFSP

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