Trofymenko O, et al. - Survival after primary Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) was assessed, herein, in association with patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment site and modality, using data from the National Cancer Data Base program. This retrospective analysis suggested that an improved DFSP management may be implemented by acquiring a better understanding of factors affecting survival outcomes, moreover, such a step may delineate other potential causes of increased morbidity and mortality.

Methods

• Data from the National Cancer Data Base program was retrospectively analyzed for patients diagnosed with DFSP from 2003 to 2012.

Results

• Researchers identified a total of 5249 cases.
• During an average of 51.4 months of follow up, death of 3.1% of total patients was reported.
• After adjusting for relevant factors, it was found that mortality was predicted by uninsured and/or Medicaid/Medicare insurance, anaplastic histology, and positive postoperative margins, while treatment at Integrated Network Cancer programs predicted survival (P < .05).
• Findings also demonstrated a direct association of higher odds of postoperative radiation therapy with larger tumors, anaplastic and poorly differentiated histology, and positive postoperative margins and inverse association with treatment at high volume facilities, and non-head or neck tumors.
• In addition, data reported that higher second surgery rates were related to Hispanic ethnicity, while lower rates were associated with female gender.