Atrophic Dermatofibrosarcoma Can be Tough Call

"This is important because imatinib mesylate [Gleevec] currently approved for treating chronic myeloid leukemia, acts as a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor β and has been used successfully in isolated case reports for the presurgical treatment of locally advanced DFSPs and inoperable recurrent or metastatic disease," she said.

Dr. Clarke suggested using 400 mg of imatinib mesylate, the dose used for gastrointestinal stromal tumors, either daily or twice daily. "The side effects are typically mild, although severe edema and liver toxicity have been reported in the elderly," she said.

A patient with DFSPis shown before undergoing wide local excision (left) and 3-months post excision (right). Photos courtesy Rogerio Neves, M.D., Ph.D.