Background: The dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare skin tumor with a low grade malignancy. It is characterized by a random and asymmetric local extension and a spontaneous tendency to local recurrence. This characteristic is the main difficulty in the management of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. The aim of our study was to evaluate our experience in the management of this disease and to clarify the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and prognostic characteristics of this rare tumor.
Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, covering 120 cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans treated at the Institute Salah Azaiez, over a period of 21 years from 1 January 1992 to 31 December 2012.
Results: The average age at diagnosis was 41.5 years, ranging from 7 to 82 years. . Our population was consisted of 51 women and 69 men. The chief complaint most frequently found was the rapid growth of a nodule (39.2% of cases). The average consultation time was 51 months. The predilection was the trunk in 71 patients (59%) and members in 42 patients (35%). The average lesion size was 6 cm, with a range of 1 to 20 cm. The most common appearance was an isolated nodule in 60% of cases. Ultrasound soft tissue was done in 15 cases (12.5%). Therapeutically, our patients underwent a wide excision in 118 cases and adjuvant radiotherapy in two cases. We observed nine cases of recurrence after a median follow up of 29 months. We observed ten cases of sarcomatous transformation six of which have developed lethal metastases.
Conclusion: The prognosis of this disease depends on the surgery performed in first intention which must be complete from the start. Any inappropriate surgery increases the risk of recurrence, sarcomatous degeneration and metastasis.
Elastofibroma dorsi (ED) is a rare, benign soft tissue tumor arising from connective tissue and usually found in the subscapular region. We conducted this retrospective study to contribute to a better understanding of this tumor, the pathogenesis of which is still unclear. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of six patients (4women, 2men) treated for ED at our institution. Results: The mean age was 48 (range, 33-63). The tumor was located on the right in one patient, on the left in three. One patient had a bilateral localization. One patient had three localizations. Two patients presented with symptoms of pain and clunking of the scapula on shoulder abduction. All patients underwent complete marginal resections. The resected tumors ranged in size from 47 mm to 85mm. two recurrence has been observed in follow-up of four months and six months in the same patient. Conclusions: Elastofibroma dorsi should be considered in differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors due to their specific location. As it exhibits benign behavior, it should be surgically removed only in symptomatic patients.
Colonic lipomas are benign tumors. Very rarely, are complicated with colocolic invaginations. We report the case of a 39 year old patient who consulted for abdominal pain and bowel dysfunction. In the abdominal examination it was a soft consistency mass measured 15 cm. The rectal touch was normal. Colonoscopy showed a rounded lobed formation preventing progression and biopsies in the right angle colic. In computed tomography it was an appearance of an intussusception extent of the epigastrium in the right iliac fossa.The patient had a right hemicolectomy. The postoperative course was simple.