title: Atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an uncommon malignant mesenchymal tumor that arises in the dermis and is characterised by latency in its initial detection. As a rare form, atrophic or morphea-like DFSP has been documented. Atrophic DFSP resemble other benign lesions such as morphea, idiopathic atrophoderma, atrophic scar, anetoderma or lipoatrophy. It behaves like classic DFSP. It commonly favours young to middle aged adults. It has a slow infiltrative growth and a high rate of local recurrence if not completely excised. Metastases are rare and occur after repeated local recurrence. Surgical excision is the best line of treatment. Long term follow up is required to detect recurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of atrophic DFSP in a 52-year-old female patient. Diagnosis was achieved according to clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings. Tumor was surgically excised with safety margin and the patient is still under follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atrophic DFSP is a rare variant of DFSP. It is a tumor of low to moderate grade malignancy. Surgical excision is the best line of management. Long term follow up is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Andrology and S.T.Ds, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufiya University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bakry
authors.forename: Abdalla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Attia