Dermatofibroma of the face: a clinicopathologic study of 20 cases.

INTRODUCTION Dermatofibroma is one of the most common benign skin tumors. It typically develops on the lower limbs between the third and fifth decade of life and is more common in women. Clinical diagnosis is often straightforward. Dermatofibromas are associated with a very low rate of local recurrence following excision. OBJECTIVES To describe the clinical and histologic features of dermatofibroma of the face based on our experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS Descriptive retrospective study of the clinicopathologic features of dermatofibromas of the face diagnosed at the dermatology department of Hospital General Universitario de Valencia between 1990 and 2012. RESULTS Twenty cases of dermatofibroma of the face (1.11% of all dermatofibromas diagnosed) were studied. The age at onset varied widely, from 28 to 84 years. The mean age at onset was 57.15 years and the median was 54 years. There were 11 women and 9 men. Mean follow-up was 83 months and there were no local recurrences. All the tumors were confined to the papillary and reticular dermis and the storiform pattern was the most common growth pattern observed. CONCLUSIONS This study of facial dermatofibromas diagnosed at our hospital over a period of 22 years suggests that the face is an uncommon site but that dermatofibromas in this location behave similarly to those occurring elsewhere on the body.