Interscapular-thoracic Amputation: A Giant Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Tumor

• Published in: Journal of Clinical Practice & Research Vol. 45; no. 3; pp. 300 - 302
• Main Authors: De Anda-Coronado, Alberto, López-Leonar, Nohemí C, Navarro-Bahena, Eduardo, Muñoz-Maldonado, Gerardo E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Istanbul Kare Publishing 01-05-2023
• Subjects: Amputation; Biopsy; Brachial plexus; Case reports; Chronic illnesses; Conflicts of interest; Consent; Histopathology; Medical diagnosis; Metastasis; Oncology; Patients; Sarcoma; Surgery; Tumors
• ISSN: 2980-2156
• DOI: 10.14744/etd.2022.48457

Background: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP), an uncommon sarcoma of the dermis, is a low-grade, spindle-cell tumor that usually grows slowly and has a high local recurrence rate, but rarely metastasizes to distant sites. The diagnosis is based on histopathology and the standard treatment is wide surgical excision with tumor-free margins. Case Report: Described is the case of a 75-year-old female who presented with a giant tumor on her upper right arm that had been increasing in size for a year. A biopsy provided the diagnosis of DFSP. Radical surgery was performed and the arm was disarticulated from the scapula. Conclusion: Treatment for DFSP typically involves surgical excision; however, the size of the tumor in the present case was exceptionally large. Disarticulation offered the best prognosis.