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Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP): What it Looks Like
A rare skin cancer, dermatofibrosarcoma
protuberans (DFSP) tends to grow slowly. It can grow deeply,
reaching into the muscle and even bone. DSFP rarely spreads to other
parts of the body, so it has a higher survival rate than some other
types of skin cancer.
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In children, DFSP tends to
be reddish or blue.
Photograph used with
permission of the Journal of the American Academy of
Dermatology. The photograph was published in the
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Vol.
# 61, Love WE, Keiler SA, Tamburro JE et al.
“Surgical management of congenital dermatofibrosarcoma
protuberans.” 1014-23. Copyright Elsevier (2009).
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. |
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DFSP often looks like a scar.
Photograph used with permission of the Journal
of the American Academy of Dermatology.
The photograph was published in the Journal
of the American Academy of Dermatology,
Vol. # 49,
Young CR, Albertini MJ,
“Atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans:
case report, review, and proposed molecular mechanisms.”
761-4. Copyright Elsevier (2003).
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. |
Where DFSP Develops
The most common area of the body for DFSP to appear is the trunk. A
study that looked at 2,885 cases of DFSP found that DFSP is most
likely to appear on the following areas of the body:
DFSP can occur elsewhere on the body,
including inside the mouth. It rarely occurs on the hands or feet.
Warning Signs
This skin cancer tends to grow slowly. In its earliest stage, it
often looks like a flat, hard, skin-colored lesion. This lesion does
not cause any pain or discomfort, so many people are unaware of it.
As DFSP grows, it reaches deeper into the skin. It is often said
that this skin cancer has tentacles. These so-called tentacles can
grow into the fat, muscle, and even bone.
As DFSP grows, a hard mass or lump
(tumor) appears on the surface of the skin. Sometimes, more than one
lump or mass appears. In adults, a tumor tends to be light reddish
brown to light violet in color. In young patients, the tumor tends
to be blue or reddish in color.
DFSP often looks like a scar or patch
of wrinkled skin. And DFSP frequently develops in a scar, especially
a scar caused by a surgery or burn.
In pregnant women, DFSP can grow more
quickly.
When to See a Dermatologist
Anyone who notices the following should promptly see a dermatologist
for an exam:
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Growth on the skin that does not go
away in 2 weeks
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Change to a scar, especially a scar
caused by a surgery or burn
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Anything that is quickly growing or
changing on the skin
Dermatologists receive specialized
training in diagnosing and treating skin cancer.
More Information
What is Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP)?
References:
Gloster HM, Jr. “Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.” Journal of the
American Academy of Dermatology September 1996; 35: 355-74; quiz
75-6.
Halpern M, Chen E, Ratner D. “Sarcomas.” In Nouri K. [editor].
Skin Cancer. United States. McGraw Hill Medical; 2008. p. 217-8.
Love
WE, Keiler SA, Tamburro JE et al. “Surgical management of
congenital dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.” Journal of the
American Academy of Dermatology. December 2009; 61:
1014-23.
Young
CR, Albertini MJ. “Atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: case
report, review, and proposed molecular mechanisms.” Journal of
the American Academy of Dermatology. October 2003; 49: 761-4.
All
content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology |
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In rare
cases, more than 1 DFSP tumor appears.
Photo used with permission of the
American Academy of Dermatology National
Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides, |
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