Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in two patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a locally aggressive cutaneous tu mor of intermediate malignancy. Most commonly, it arises as an asymptomatic , indurated plaque on the trunk within which protuberant nodules develop ov er lime. We describe its occurrence in two patients with human immunodefici ency virus, a previously unreported association. The first patient, a 41-ye ar-old woman, complained of painful lesions around the left shoulder that d eveloped within a scar from previous trauma to the area. The second patient , a 50-year-old man, developed a recurrent DFSP within the scar from a prev ious surgical procedure. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans was confirmed in b oth cases by the histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings.