Giant dermatofibroma. A little-known clinical variant of dermatofibroma

Abstract

Background: Dermatofibroma is a common cutaneous lesion that usually appears as a slow-growing firm dermal nodule.

Objective: Our purpose was to report the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of eight giant dermatofibromas and review the few cases of this variant of dermatofibroma reported in the literature.

Methods: All clinical records of two Departments of Dermatology of University Hospitals from the past 5 years with a diagnosis of dermatofibroma were reviewed. Lesions that measured 5 cm or larger were considered for this study. Biopsy specimens were available from all lesions.

Results: Giant dermatofibromas are most frequently on the legs, especially below the knee. Often they have a pedunculated appearance. Because of their large size, the correct diagnosis is not suspected clinically; a diagnosis of malignancy is often made.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that giant dermatofibroma is a distinct but uncommon clinical variant of dermatofibroma that invariably exhibits a benign biologic behavior.