Ann Dermatol. 2009 Nov;21(4):416-418. English.
Published online Nov 30, 2009.
Copyright © 2009 Korean Dermatological Association and The Korean Society for Investigative Dermatology
Case Report

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Arising from a Burn Scar

Jong Keun Seo, M.D., Kyung Jong Cho, M.D., Ju Hyun Kang, M.D., Deborah Lee, M.D., Ho-Suk Sung, M.D. and Seon Wook Hwang, M.D.
    • Department of Dermatology, Inje University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Received March 06, 2009; Revised April 21, 2009; Accepted May 15, 2009.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Malignant neoplasms arising in burn scars are well known. In previous literature, 25 cases of burn scar sarcomas were reported. However, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is very rare and only two cases have been reported. A 43-year-old Korean man presented with multiple erythematous clustered plaques and nodules and a skin-colored subcutaneous mass on the chest after a severe burn injury at the age of 8 years. A biopsy specimen revealed dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. The tumor was excised widely to include the surrounding burn scar. Herein, we report this third case of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans arising from a burn scar.

Keywords
Burn scar; Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

INTRODUCTION

It is estimated that 2% of burn scars undergo malignant transformation. Most malignant tumors in chronic burn scars are squamous cell carcinomas, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is rarely seen in chronic burn scars. Indeed, only 2 cases of DFSP in a burn scar have been reported1, 2. We report an additional case of DFSP in a chronic burn scar.

CASE REPORT

A 43-year-old Korean man developed multiple asymptomatic erythematous clustered plaques and nodules, and a skin-colored subcutaneous mass on the chest (Fig. 1). He had incurred a severe burn injury on the upper chest at the age of 8 years. The injury had healed with scar contracture but small nodules had repeatedly occurred; so, he excised the lesions 20 years ago. Although small nodules and plaques recurred several years later and spread gradually, he did not receive any checkup or treatment. Histological examination of the erythematous nodule and skin-colored subcutaneous mass revealed densely packed, monomorphous, plump spindle cells arranged in a storiform pattern. The cells extended into the subcutis, produced a characteristic honeycomb-like appearance, and were arranged in a fascicular pattern (Fig. 2A, B). Immunohistologic examination was positive for CD34 and negative for S-100 (Fig. 2C, D). These results were compatible with DFSP. The tumor was widely excised and, 6 months after the operation, there was no recurrence or distance metastasis.

Fig. 1
Multiple erythematous clustered plaques and nodules and a skin-colored subcutaneous mass on the chest (inset: close up view).

Fig. 2
(A) Histological examination of the erythematous nodule demonstrated dense cellular infiltration with storiform pattern distribution (H&E, ×40). Inset: Uniform, plump spindle cells with honeycomb-like appearance (H&E, ×200). (B) Densely packed spindle cells arranged in interlacing fascicles (H&E, ×100). (C) Immunohistologic examination for CD34 showed spindle-shaped cells stained strongly positive (CD34, ×200). (D) S-100 protein staining of the spindle-shaped cells was negative (S-100, ×200).

DISCUSSION

The malignant transformation of burn scars constitutes a long-term complication of burns. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most frequent burn scar neoplasm. Approximately 2% of burn scars undergo malignant transformation to SCC, while 0.3~0.5% undergo malignant transformation to basal cell carcinoma (BCC)3, 4. Kowal-Vern and Criswell3 reviewed 412 cases of burn scar neoplasm from 146 articles published between 1923 and 2004. Of the tumors, 71% (n=293) were SCC, 12% (n=48) were BCC, 6% (n=23) were melanoma, 5% (n=21) were sarcoma, 4% (n=16) were other neoplasms, 1% (n=6) were squamo-basal cell carcinoma, and 1% (n=5) were squamous cell-melanoma3. Of the cases of sarcoma, only two were DFSP4, 5. The pathophysiology of burn scar neoplasms is clearly distinct from that of regular skin cancer. Ewing's postulate requires: (1) evidence of a burn scar; (2) a tumor within the boundaries of the scar; (3) no previous tumor in that location; (4) tumor histology that is compatible with the cell types found in the skin and the scar; and (5) an adequate interval between the burn injury and tumor development6. The exact mechanism of malignant transformation in chronic wounds is unclear. However, some believe that constant irritation and infection, chronic ulceration, the release of local toxins following injury, poor lymphatic regeneration, repeated trauma, or exposure to noxious environmental agents can lead to the development of malignancies7, 8. In our case, although chronic small nodules and plaques had recurred and spread, the patient did not undergo any treatment; therefore, constant, long-term irritation and local toxins may be to blame for the malignant transformation. Since sarcomas rarely arise in a burn scar, the clinical impression was SCC. Nevertheless, the histological findings of the lesion were compatible with DFSP. The tumor was widely excised and no adjuvant therapies were performed. Here, we report a very rare, third case of DFSP arising from a burn scar.

References

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    1. Bridge JA, Neff JR, Sandberg AA. Cytogenetic analysis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Cancer Genet Cytogenet 1990;49:199–202.
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