Dermatofibromas are common benign fibrohistiocytic lesions, usually appearing as slow growing firm dermal nodules with a predilection for the extremities (mostly the lower legs). They are found mostly in middle-aged women and are usually smaller than 2 cm in diameter. Giant
dermatofibromas exceeding 5 cm in diameter are rare. In recent years, reports have suggested a relationship between the primary size of
dermatofibromas and rates of local recurrence and
metastases after surgery. This relationship is however debated. The present report describes the case of a giant muscle invasive
tumor in a 51-year-old female patient who presented with a large ulcerated mass in the right upper arm. The
tumor appeared clinically malignant, measuring approximately 12 cm × 6 cm in size, with ulceration and invasion of surrounding muscle. Wide resection of the
tumor was performed with
myocutaneous flap-plasty. Histopathological examination showed evidence of a
dermatofibroma. No recurrence,
metastases, or other complications were noted at 5 years after surgery. The present case demonstrates that although
dermatofibromas are essentially benign, they may present with atypical features including large size, ulceration, and muscle invasion, clinically mimicking malignant
tumors.