A surprise

I had a lump for 3 to 4 years growing on my thigh. It started very small but I saw the GP and he said it was a cyst and was most likely benign. I did arrange to have it removed about 2 years ago, but due to my fear of needles I couldn't go through with it, but the GP told me that I could try again when I was ready. There was no hurry. So I left it.

At the beginning of this year my leg began to get achy, with occasional muscle pain in the area of my lump which had grown to 2 cm diameter and had turned a reddish purple and was solid as a rock. I decided to get it removed. I had counselling for my needle fear and was placed on the waiting list. After a few attempts at organising an appointment with the GP I decided to go private so I could do this at my pace and I could make baby steps at dealing with my phobia.

At the end of June I saw a consultant and we arranged to do the operation under local anathestic and sedation. In July the operation was done. Hurray! I saw the consultant after 2 weeks to have the stitches removed from a 2inch scar and although he hadn't had the histology results he wasn't concerned. 7 weeks later I was contacted and asked to see him. I was in for a bit of a shock. When I spoke to him he advised that the histology results showed that the lump was a rare type of malignant soft tissue cancer called Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans. He advised that he would need to operate again as he needed to take some of the tissue from the surrounding area as the cancer had a high chance of reoccurring if this margin wasn't taken.

A week later I attended the hospital and this time had a general anathestic so the consultant wouldn't be worried about how I was coping and could spend more time than rushing to take the tissue away. Everything went well and my new 4 inch scar had begun healing when I saw the consultant again for the results.

The type of cancer that I had sends out little spindle (root) cells which then grow into tumours. Anyway, the margin tissue they removed showed these cells so I was advised that he needed to operate yet again and take a much larger margin. 3cm all the way round. He advised that this time I would need a skin graft as the hole would be too big to close as the others had been.

So last week I underwent a 3rd operation. I now have a hole in my leg covered with a single cell layer skin graft, a skin graft donor site which is now itching and a massive great bandage round my leg holding dressings and gauze in place. This 3rd operation hasn't really hurt. Its uncomfortable and itchy, as long as I stay on top of pain killers its under control.

I'm waiting for the results of histology results which I should get in the next 2 weeks. Fingers crossed this time I get good news and this is the end.

For information about this rare cancer I have found the following information which may be useful to someone out there who finds themselves facing this type of cancer.

Quote: "Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP) is a tumor of the skin. It is a rare type of sarcoma with low-to-intermediate grade malignancy. It compromises less than 0.1% of all cancers and about 1% of all soft tissue sarcomas.
DFSP tumors occur in the dermis layer of the skin and can invade deeper subcutaneous tissue, such as fat, fascia, and muscle. They are slow growing, and spread laterally or sideways. They may increase in size more rapidly during pregnancy. If left untreated they can come through the skin, ulcerate and become painful. If they are not completely removed they will likely return in the same area. In very rare case or cases left untreated, DFSP can spread to other areas of the body." (taken from: http://www.curesarcoma.org/index.php/patient_resources/subtypes/dermatofibrosarcoma_protuberans_dfsp)

Well I will continue to post regarding the progress of my fight with this. I hope that anyone who finds this takes some comfort from my experience and if you would like to get in touch please do so I would dearly love to hear from you.