DERMATOFIBROSARCOMA PROTUBERANS - A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY IN AN AFRICAN POPULATION

Dermatofibrosarcona protuberans (DFSP) is a slow-growing, locally aggr essive fibrous tumour which rarely metastasises to regional lymphnode or distant sites, The rarity, age pattern of occurrence and the male t o female ratio of the tumour were found to correspond to reports elsew here. But contrary to other reports, the lower limb and not the trunk was found to be the site of predilection of the tumour in Tanzania, Th is and the tendency of occurrence of the tumour on the scalp in female s rather than at other sites in the head and neck region seem to impli cate trauma as a predisposing factor. It is difficult to differentiate between DFSP, keloids and hypertrophi scars on the bests of clinical presentation without biopsy, The treatment of choice of this lesion is wide excision followed by skin grafting, It is emphasised that all hy pertrophiscars and keloids should be histologically examined in order to rule out DFSP so that it is correctly treated in order to avoid rec urrence.