Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2019 Dec;12(12):39-43.
Epub 2019 Dec 1.

Surgical and Functional Considerations of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Involving Facial Nerve Danger Zones

James P Foshee  1   2   3 , Oleksandr Trofymenko  1   2   3 , Nathalie C Zeitouni  1   2   3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Surgical and Functional Considerations of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Involving Facial Nerve Danger Zones

James P Foshee et al. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2019 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a locally aggressive tumor, uncommonly occurring on the head and neck where these deeply infiltrating tumors might violate underlying neurovascular structures. Treatment is typically surgical, whether by Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) or wide local excision (WLE). However, there is a paucity of literature describing functional neurologic outcomes following surgical extirpation of facial DFSP. Thus, we sought to examine the functional neurologic outcomes in patients undergoing either MMS or WLE for facial DFSP. Methods: Two patients with DFSP involving facial nerve danger zones treated by the multidisciplinary team with MMS and subsequent reconstruction were studied. Additionally, a comprehensive literature review of facial DFSP with regard to neurologic functional status was performed. Results: From our research, only 10 of 46 patients with facial DFSP had neurologic functional status reported, with four of these cases having notable facial nerve deficits. Of our cases, both patients experienced transient neurologic deficits and neither had evidence of recurrence. Conclusion: The proper assessment and reporting of postoperative functional recovery should be undertaken following facial DFSP resection and consideration should be given to a multidisciplinary treatment approach.

Keywords: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans; Mohs micrographic surgery; facial nerve; nerve injury.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

FUNDING:No funding was provided for this study. DISCLOSURES:The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this article.

References

    1. Gloster HM., Jr Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1996;35:355–374. 3 Pt 1. - PubMed
    1. Heuvel ST, Suurmeijer A, Pras E et al. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: recurrence is related to the adequacy of surgical margins. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2010;36(1):89–94. - PubMed
    1. Paradisi A, Abeni D, Rusciani A et al. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: wide local excision vs. Mohs micrographic surgery. Cancer Treat Rev. 2008;34(8):728–736. - PubMed
    1. Longo B, Paolini G, Belli E et al. Wide excision and anterolateral thigh perforator flap reconstruction for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the face. J Craniofac Surg. 2013;24(6):e597–599. - PubMed
    1. Lemm D, Mugge LO, Mentzel T et al. Current treatment options in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. J Cancer Res Clin. 2009;135(5):653–665. - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources