A histopathological surprise of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberance: a case report and review of the literature

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) represents around 1% to 6% of all soft tissue malignancies, with an annual incidence rate of 4.2 per million individuals. This tumor is most commonly found in the proximal regions of the limbs (10% to 15%), followed by the trunk (40-50%) and chest/shoulders (30% to 40%). Clinically, DFSP often presents as a gradually growing nodule or plaque, initially asymptomatic, which later enters a phase of rapid growth. While DFSP has a significant likelihood of local recurrence, it rarely metastasizes. Children are more likely to have DFSP in distant locations. A study of 27 cases found that 14.8% of childhood DFSP cases involved the hands and feet. DFSP typically presents in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50 years. In this report, we present a case of a young female patient who was incidentally diagnosed with DFSP on the right hallux, confirmed through histopathological analysis, along with its management.