Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans arising from a burn scar of the axilla

It is well-known that the development of a malignant tumor in a chronic burn scar is one of the long-term complications of a severe burn. Most of these tumors are squamous cell carcinomas, and sarcomas are much rarely seen in chronic burn scars. In the previous literature, 24 cases of burn scar sarcomas were reported. The authors report the second case of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans arising in a chronic, severe burn scar. A 68-year-old woman with a reddish tumor in the right axilla was referred to the authors' hospital. The patient had sustained severe burns in the right axilla, upper arm, and trunk at the age of 6 years. A biopsy specimen revealed dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. There was no evidence of distant metastasis. The tumor was excised widely to include the surrounding burn scar. Two years after the operation, there was no evidence of tumor recurrence. As surgeons, we should recognize the possibility of the occurrence of various malignant tumors including sarcomas on burn scars.