MALIGNANT FIBROUS HISTIOCYTOMA OF THE LUNG - REPORT OF 4 CASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

BACKGROUND. Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the lung i s a rare clinical entity. Only 23 reports of 49 cases have been report ed in the literature. Surgery was the primary mode of therapy, with hi gh rates of local and distant recurrence reported. The role of radiati on therapy and chemotherapy has never been clearly defined. METHODS. T he records of the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale and Rochester from 1970 to 1990 were reviewed for cases of primary pulmonary MFH. A review of th e literature was also undertaken. RESULTS. Four cases from the Mayo re cords and 49 cases from a review of the literature were identified. Ei ght patients were alive at 5 years from diagnosis; all had been treate d with surgery as the primary modality. No definite relationship betwe en histologic subtype of MFH and survival could be identified and no d efinite role of radiation therapy or chemotherapy could be defined. CO NCLUSIONS. MFH of the lung should be treated by surgical resection if technically feasible. The role of adjuvant therapy remains undefined. (C) 1996 American Cancer Society.