THE ROLE OF RADIOTHERAPY IN THE LOCAL-MANAGEMENT OF DERMATOFIBROSARCOMA PROTUBERANS

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP), a fibrohistiocytic tumour of i ntermediate malignancy, has a strong tendency to recur locally, Wide l ocal excision is the recommended treatment modality. A retrospective a nalysis was performed on 38 consecutive DFSP patients presenting to Th e Netherlands Cancer Institute, to define the role of radiotherapy. Of the 21 patients treated surgically (all with negative resection margi ns) seven recurred, a local control probability of 67%. Combined modal ity treatment was given to 17 patients. Prior to radiotherapy, these p atients experienced 33 occurrences of DFSP, but after irradiation only three recurrences were seen, a local control probability of 82%. Thes e results are in keeping with the recent Literature where increasing v alue is being given to both adjuvant and curative radiotherapy in the local management of DFSP. We recommend radiotherapy in DFSP patients w here repeated surgery may cause mutilation or functional impairment. ( C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.