In a landmark medical achievement, the multidisciplinary team at SIMS Hospital successfully treated a young IT professional suffering from Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP), a rare and aggressive skin cancer that spreads rapidly to surrounding tissues, including muscle and bone. In this complex case, the cancer had severely affected the patient’s scalp and skull, necessitating advanced reconstructive surgery. Today, the patient’s scalp is fully covered with healthy, stable tissue, and he is on the path to recovery with regular follow-up planned for recurrence monitoring, sun protection, and scalp hygiene.

The patient had been battling DFSP for over eight years, enduring multiple recurrences despite three previous surgeries. DFSP is an extremely rare tumour, affecting only 1–5 individuals per million. It typically begins as a painless skin lump or patch, but if left untreated, can infiltrate skin, muscle, and even bone.
The surgical journey at SIMS involved multiple stages. After the tumour was completely removed, the skull was reconstructed, followed by staged scalp repair using skin grafts, flaps, a tissue expander, and finally, a piece of tissue harvested from the patient’s thigh. Additionally, a metastatic lung nodule was removed during the procedure, further demonstrating the complexity of the case.

“This was not a single-step surgery. The tumour had eroded both scalp and skull, making each stage—from brain protection and skull repair to hair-bearing scalp reconstruction—highly complex,” explained Dr. Krishnamoorthy, Former Director, Plastic Surgery, Institute of Craniofacial, Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery (ICAPS). “Careful planning, staged procedures, and precise coordination were key to achieving a safe and lasting outcome.”

Echoing the challenges, Dr. Shyamnath Krishna Pandian K., Consultant, Plastic Surgery, ICAPS, added, “The greatest challenge in this case was balancing tumour clearance with safe reconstruction. The cancer had invaded critical structures like the skull and was dangerously close to the brain, which meant every step carried high risk, from staged resections to complex reconstructions.”

Praising the medical team’s efforts, Dr. Ravi Pachamuthu, Chairman, SIMS Hospital, said, “This landmark procedure ushers in a new era for our hospital and demonstrates our unwavering commitment to quality and innovation in patient care. The case of skull and scalp reconstruction was handled with remarkable surgical skill, dedication, and endurance. I am immensely proud of our clinicians and staff for upholding our mission of delivering world-class care.”