Accelerated growth of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans during pregnancy

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSPs) are uncommon skin tumors that have a high incidence of local recurrence even with wide surgical margin, but DF SPs rarely metastasize. Previous reports have suggested that DFSPs may enla rge more rapidly during pregnancy. We report 3 additional cases of DFSPs th at showed accelerated growth during pregnancy. Immunohistochemical stains f or CD34, S-100 protein, factor XIIIa, and estrogen and progesterone recepto rs were performed on biopsy specimens. The tumors in all 3 patients, and 4 additional DFSPs from 2 male and 2 female subjects, showed expression of pr ogesterone receptor. As with many other stromal neoplasms, DFSPs appear to express low levels of hormone receptors, which may be one factor that accou nts for their accelerated growth during pregnancy.