Dermoscopy of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a study of 15 cases. (8th July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bernard, J.; Poulalhon, N.; Argenziano, G.; Debarbieux, S.; Dalle, S.; Thomas, L.
• Is Part Of: British journal of dermatology. Volume 169:Number 1(2013:Jul.)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 90
• Publication Date: 2013-07-08
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/bjd.12318
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-0963

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="bjd12318-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <sec id="bjd12318-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare malignant cutaneous tumour of which diagnosis is often delayed because of the lack of early clinical clues.</p> </sec> <sec id="bjd12318-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>To describe the main dermoscopic features of DFSP.</p> </sec> <sec id="bjd12318-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>We performed dermoscopic examination in 15 unselected, consecutive cases of biopsy‐proven DFSP. Firstly, six dermoscopic features were identified collegially, then all cases were reviewed separately by six experienced dermoscopists. In a given lesion, features recognized only by all dermoscopists were taken into account.</p> </sec> <sec id="bjd12318-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The median number of dermoscopic features was four per lesion. The following dermoscopic features were found: delicate pigmented network (87%), vessels (80%), structureless light brown areas (73%), shiny white streaks (67%), pink background coloration (67%) and structureless hypo‐ or depigmented areas (60%). When detected, vessels were of arborizing type in 11 of 12 cases, and presented as either unfocused only, or both unfocused and focused.</p> </sec> <sec id="bjd12318-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>This first study of the dermoscopic spectrum of DFSP identifies six dermoscopic features (often associated in a multicomponent pattern) and a peculiar vascular pattern. Whether dermoscopy can help to identify suspected DFSP remains to be established by further studies.</p> </sec> </abstract>