title: Using imatinib as neoadjuvant therapy in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: potential pluses and minuses.
abstract: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an uncommon, low grade soft-tissue malignancy associated with a high risk for local recurrence and widespread subclinical extension. Imatinib, a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been a beneficial adjuvant therapy in patients with unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic DFSP. Because of its characteristic infiltrative growth, effective surgical excision of DFSP may be limited by the risk for disfigurement or functional impairment. In recent cases, neoadjuvant imatinib mesylate therapy has been shown to reduce preoperative tumor size and lessen surgical morbidity associated with the removal of residual DFSP. Use of neoadjuvant imatinib before surgery, however, requires appropriate patient selection and careful weighing of the potential risks and benefits of this treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA. hj2256@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Hillary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Johnson-Jahangir
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: Désirée
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ratner
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D018223:Dermatofibrosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate