Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans following penetrating trauma: Case report

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is one of the rare types of cancer that originate from the dermal layer of the skin. It commonly affects the arms, legs, chest, shoulders, and trunk, but it can appear in any part of the body. We report a 43-year-old male presenting with a slow-growing mass on the back of the left shoulder that developed 1.5 years after a penetrating injury caused by an iron nail. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed evidence of a subcutaneous focal lesion at the back of the left shoulder, and wide local excision was performed, histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with tumor-free margins. The patient was followed up every 3 months, with no recurrence after 12 months of follow-up. This case underscores the possible link between trauma and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans development, emphasizing the diagnostic challenges, management strategies, and the importance of long-term follow-up.