A few cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the larynx have been
reported to date. All ages may be affected, but the tumor is more prevalen
t in the sixth and seventh decade of life. We describe a case of MFH in a 7
1-year-old Italian man who 8 years before underwent a right cordectomy and
radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma. Recurrent tumor was found to be M
FH. The clinico-pathological features of this tumor are presented and the p
ossible relationship between radiotherapy and MFH discussed. The neoplasm w
as characterized by spindle-shaped atypical cells arranged in a diffuse sto
riform pattern. Mitoses were prominent, numerous, and often atypical. Immun
ohistochemically, neoplastic cells were strongly positive for vimentin and
alpha(1)-antichymotryspin but were negative for cytokeratins and S-100 prot
ein. These findings confirmed the diagnosis and excluded possible sarcomato
id carcinoma, inflammatory pseudotumor, and a new carcinosarcoma. The risk
of sarcoma after radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma in the larynx is
very low when considering the frequent use of radiotherapy, but long follow
-ups are required.