Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans of the Chest Wall: A Rare Case

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, slow-growing, low-to-intermediate-grade soft tissue sarcoma, most commonly occurring as a plaque or nodule on the trunk. It can be locally recurrent but very rarely metastasizes. The treatment of choice is wide local excision (WLE). Molecular therapy is useful in those with a pathogenic <i>COL1A1-PDGFB</i> gene fusion. We present the case of a 38-year-old male with a slow-growing, mildly pruritic, 10 × 8 cm, skin-colored plaque with a nodular surface on the left side of the anterior chest wall. A skin biopsy showed spindle cells arranged in fascicles and foci with a storiform pattern in the dermis, extending into the subcutis, staining positive for CD34 and negative for S100. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of DFSP was made, and WLE was performed. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by the indolent presentation of DFSP and the importance of early treatment with WLE. Awareness about this rare entity is essential to prevent misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cureus
Published
2025-11-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.96768
Primary Topic
Sarcoma Diagnosis and Treatment
Type
article
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article

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans of the Chest Wall: A Rare Case

Adikrishnan Swaminathan, Divya Raviprakash, Leena Dennis Joseph, Varsha R Parupati
Cureus
Sarcoma Diagnosis and Treatment
article

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans of the Chest Wall: A Rare Case

Adikrishnan Swaminathan, Divya Raviprakash, Leena Dennis Joseph, Varsha R Parupati
article en

Abstract

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, slow-growing, low-to-intermediate-grade soft tissue sarcoma, most commonly occurring as a plaque or nodule on the trunk. It can be locally recurrent but very rarely metastasizes. The treatment of choice is wide local excision (WLE). Molecular therapy is useful in those with a pathogenic <i>COL1A1-PDGFB</i> gene fusion. We present the case of a 38-year-old male with a slow-growing, mildly pruritic, 10 × 8 cm, skin-colored plaque with a nodular surface on the left side of the anterior chest wall. A skin biopsy showed spindle cells arranged in fascicles and foci with a storiform pattern in the dermis, extending into the subcutis, staining positive for CD34 and negative for S100. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of DFSP was made, and WLE was performed. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by the indolent presentation of DFSP and the importance of early treatment with WLE. Awareness about this rare entity is essential to prevent misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.

CureusVol. 17(11)
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (IN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 51%
Sarcoma Diagnosis and Treatment
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