IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL MARGIN CONTROL APPLIED TO MOHS MICROGRAPHIC SURGICAL EXCISION OF DERMATOFIBROSARCOMA PROTUBERANS

BACKGROUND. Surgical treatment of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans has a high rate of recurrence presumably secondary to persistent residual tumor. Recently an antigenic marker, CD34 has demonstrated specificity for this tumor. OBJECTIVE. TO improve the microscopic detection of dematofibrosarcoma protuberans tumor elements in Mohs micrographic surgical sections by incorporating immunohistologic staining. METHODS. Standard Mohs micrographic surgical technique was used, coupled with standard immunohistochemical procedures using an antibody to the CD34 antigen. RESULTS. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-CD34 of Mohs micrographic sections clearly delineated the extent of the tumor elements. CONCLUSIONS. We anticipate that the application of this immunohistochemical-modified Mohs surgical technique will further enhance the detection of insidious portions of tumor thereby enhancing removal and reducing recurrence.