H. Mau et al., MALIGNANT FIBROUS HISTIOCYTOMA OF BONE AND SOFT-TISSUE - 2 DIFFERENT TUMOR ENTITIES - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 45 CASES, Onkologie, 18(6), 1995, pp. 573-579
Background: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) can arise as primary
bone or soft-tissue sarcoma. Primary MFH of bone and soft tissue are h
istopathologically indistinguishable. The aim of the study was to asse
ss the clinical course and oncological outcome of MFH of bone and soft
tissue. Methods: 45 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of MFH (25 pr
imary bone MFH, 20 primary soft-tissue MFH) were seen between 1974 and
1993 in our institution. Patient records, pathology, and operation re
ports were assessed for staging and oncological outcome with respect t
o differences in clinical behavior and response to chemo- and radiothe
rapy. Follow-up was more than 36 months in 33 patients. Results: MFH o
f bone metastasizes more frequently and earlier and responds better to
chemotherapy than MFH of soft tissue. Soft-tissue MFH has a higher lo
cal recurrence rate, and local control can only be achieved by adequat
e resection margins. 3-year tumor-free survival in our series is 21% f
or bone and 57% for soft-tissue MFH. Conclusion: With respect to clini
cal behavior MFH of bone and MFH of soft tissue can be considered as 2
different tumorentities. The reason for this remains unclear. In the
authors opinion MFH of bone should be treated with chemotherapy and su
rgery.