Atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a case report and review of the literature

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is not a difficult tumor to recognize because of its characteristic clinical appearance, although some unusual variants have been reported. We describe the atrophic variant of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in a 21-year-old female. The lesion was a smooth-surfaced, oval depression on the left subclavicular area, with a violaceous plaque at the center. The suspected clinical diagnosis did not include fibrous tumors, although histological examination showed the typical picture of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Positive CD34 staining was also helpful in the diagnosis. We review 14 cases of the atrophic variant of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in the literature. Dermatologists should be aware of this uncommon but characteristic appearance of atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.