Multidisciplinary Approach to the Management of Extensive Dermato-fibro-sarcomas Involving the Chest Wall

Abstract

Dermato-fibro-sarcomas are known for high-recurrence rates. The gold standard of management is surgical excision with clear margins. Such margins on the chest results in large defects which require complex reconstructive procedures. We report a case series of patients managed by a multidisciplinary team with good outcomes. A total of 12 patients with extensive dermato-fibro-sarcoma of the anterior chest wall were treated over a period of 5 years in our setting. The age range was 25 to 54 years. Skeletal defects were reconstructed with Prolene mesh and methyl acrylate cement in 10 of the 12 patients. Pedicle flaps were used in nine patients. All margins were clear of tumors, with the nearest margin being 1.5 cm. One patient had a recurrence. No donor-site morbidity was recorded in any of the patients. In conclusion, a multidisciplinary approach provides improved outcomes in the management of large dermato-fibro-sarcomas of the chest wall. With this approach, extensive dissection of the tumor is achieved, and reconstruction is performed with minimal complication.