Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the duodenum

Background/Aim: We report on a case of primary malignant fibrous histiocyto ma of the duodenum. Methods: Report of a case and review of the literature on the occurrence of this tumor in the alimentary tract. Results: The neopl asm was detected incidentally at the time of diagnostic workup for upper ga strointestinal bleeding. Curative surgery using the Whipple procedure was c arried out with uneventful postoperative course; no evidence of liver metas tases was detected during intraoperative ultrasonography. The patient died of diffuse metastatic liver disease 2 months after surgical resection. Up-t o-date review of the literature has added only 3 cases to those previously reported, including that reported by us. Conclusions: The biological behavi or of malignant fibrous histiocytomas is extremely aggressive and mainly co nditioned by size and histological grading. The treatment of choice, whenev er possible, is based on early and complete surgical excision of the tumor. Copyright (C) 1999 S. Karger AG, Basel.