Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in two patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a locally aggressive cutaneous tumor of intermediate malignancy. Most commonly, it arises as an asymptomatic, indurated plaque on the trunk within which protuberant nodules develop over time. We describe its occurrence in two patients with human immunodeficiency virus, a previously unreported association. The first patient, a 41-year-old woman, complained of painful lesions around the left shoulder that developed within a scar from previous trauma to the area. The second patient, a 50-year-old man, developed a recurrent DFSP within the scar from a previous surgical procedure. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans was confirmed in both cases by the histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings.