Vulvar Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans in a Postmenopausal Woman: A Rare Case Report and Insights Into Treatment.
- 1Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust, King's Lynn, GBR.
- 2Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Luton and Dunstable University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Luton, GBR.
Abstract
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare cutaneous fibroblastic neoplasm characterized by locally infiltrative growth, a tendency for local recurrence, and low metastatic potential. Vulvar involvement is exceptionally uncommon and presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges because of both its rarity and the anatomical importance of preserving vulvar function while obtaining adequate oncological clearance. We report the case of a 56-year-old postmenopausal woman, para 4, with a BMI of 32 kg/m², who presented with a 2 × 3 cm non-tender, freely mobile lesion of the left vulva. Excisional biopsy demonstrated a proliferation of spindle cells in a characteristic storiform pattern, with diffuse CD34 immunoreactivity, confirming DFSP. The closest histological margin following the initial excision was 0.3 cm. The patient was subsequently referred to a gynaecological oncologist, and following a multidisciplinary discussion, she underwent wide local re-excision with bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy. Histopathological examination demonstrated clear surgical margins, while all 13 lymph nodes showed reactive changes without evidence of tumour involvement. The case was discussed with a radiation oncologist, and adjuvant radiotherapy was not recommended after complete surgical excision and in the absence of residual or regional disease. No systemic therapy was administered. The patient remained free of documented recurrence for more than three years. This case highlights the importance of considering DFSP in the differential diagnosis of unusual vulvar masses, obtaining histopathological confirmation, and achieving complete excision with negative margins. It also illustrates the value of multidisciplinary management in rare vulvar soft-tissue tumours.
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BibTeX
@article{ko2026vulvar,
title = {{Vulvar Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans in a Postmenopausal Woman: A Rare Case Report and Insights Into Treatment.}},
author = {Naw Phu Ngone Ko Ko and Ei Ei Phyo Naing},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.118959},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968853},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Vulvar Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans in a Postmenopausal Woman: A Rare Case Report and Insights Into Treatment.
AU - Naw Phu Ngone Ko Ko
AU - Ei Ei Phyo Naing
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/01
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.118959
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968853
AB - Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare cutaneous fibroblastic neoplasm characterized by locally infiltrative growth, a tendency for local recurrence, and low metastatic potential. Vulvar involvement is exceptionally uncommon and presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges because of both its rarity and the anatomical importance of preserving vulvar function while obtaining adequate oncological clearance. We report the case of a 56-year-old postmenopausal woman, para 4, with a BMI of 32 kg/m², who presented with a 2 × 3 cm non-tender, freely mobile lesion of the left vulva. Excisional biopsy demonstrated a proliferation of spindle cells in a characteristic storiform pattern, with diffuse CD34 immunoreactivity, confirming DFSP. The closest histological margin following the initial excision was 0.3 cm. The patient was subsequently referred to a gynaecological oncologist, and following a multidisciplinary discussion, she underwent wide local re-excision with bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy. Histopathological examination demonstrated clear surgical margins, while all 13 lymph nodes showed reactive changes without evidence of tumour involvement. The case was discussed with a radiation oncologist, and adjuvant radiotherapy was not recommended after complete surgical excision and in the absence of residual or regional disease. No systemic therapy was administered. The patient remained free of documented recurrence for more than three years. This case highlights the importance of considering DFSP in the differential diagnosis of unusual vulvar masses, obtaining histopathological confirmation, and achieving complete excision with negative margins. It also illustrates the value of multidisciplinary management in rare vulvar soft-tissue tumours.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -