[Darrier and Ferrand dermatofibrosarcomas--retrospective analysis of 81 cases over ten years (1983-1994)]

Progressive and recurrent dermatofibrosarcoma, described by Darier and Ferrand in 1924, is a fibrous skin tumor with essentially local malignancy. This tumor is often only diagnosed after several recurrences. The authors present a retrospective study of eighty-one cases treated over a ten years period (1983-1994) and a review of the literature. The treatment is surgical: wide and deep excision with respection of the safe subjacent aponeurotic plane. Therapeutic modalities are defined, with particular emphasis of the need for primary surgical treatment by excision, the possibility of in this case being significantly greater than after salvage operations. The prognostical factors are clinical factors such as size of the tumor, the risk of malignant evolution or the need for repeated excisions.