Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma, abbreviated MFH, is the most common sarcoma of late adult life, as well as the most common post-irradiation sarcoma.
Presentation
Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma can be found on the lower extremities, as well as the upper extremities and retroperitoneum. MFH is a painless and enlarging mass if presenting on the extremities. However, retroperitoneal tumours may present with obstruction and anorexia. Fever and leukocytosis is also present with Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma. The typical age for the disease is late adulthood, i.e. fifty to seventy years of age. In addition, males are more likely to have malignant fibrous histiocytoma, with 70% of individuals with this sarcoma being men.
Ancillary testing
Approximately eighty percent of individuals diagnosed with Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma show cytogenetic abnormalities.
Prognosis and treatment
Unfortunately, at the time of diagnosis, MFH is usually a systemic disease. It has a local recurrence rate between nineteen and thirty-one percent. Its metastatic rate is between thirty-one and thirty-five percent, with the most common site of metastasis being the lungs. Treatment includes wide radial excision, as well as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.