IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL MARGIN CONTROL APPLIED TO MOHS MICROGRAPHIC SURGICAL EXCISION OF DERMATOFIBROSARCOMA PROTUBERANS

BACKGROUND. Surgical treatment of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans has a high rate of recurrence presumably secondary to persistent residual tumor. Recently an antigenic marker, CD34 has demonstrated specificity for this tumor. OBJECTIVE. TO improve the microscopic detection of de matofibrosarcoma protuberans tumor elements in Mohs micrographic surgi cal sections by incorporating immunohistologic staining. METHODS. Stan dard Mohs micrographic surgical technique was used, coupled with stand ard immunohistochemical procedures using an antibody to the CD34 antig en.RESULTS. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-CD34 of Mohs microg raphic sections clearly delineated the extent of the tumor elements. C ONCLUSIONS. We anticipate that the application of this immunohistochem ical-modified Mohs surgical technique will further enhance the detecti on of insidious portions of tumor thereby enhancing removal and reduci ng recurrence.