An Analysis of 38 Malignant Fibrous Histiocytomas in The Extremities

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Abstract
All malignant soft tissue tumors in the extremities and limb girdles reported to the Finnish Cancer Registry from 1960-1969 were reviewed. From a total of 246 sarcomas, 38 were diagnosed as malignant fibrous histiocytoma. There was an equal number of male and female patients with the median age of 67 yr. The thigh was the most frequent site, and the majority of the tumors originated in the deep soft tissues. The predominant treatment was excision followed by radiation therapy. In 17 patients there were 1 or more recurrences and in 21 patients there was a metastatic spread ascertained by biopsy, autopsy or clinical or radiographic evidence. There were 11 survivors with a minimum of 5 yr follow-up; 7 patients died of intercurrent disease and the remaining 20 patients were considered victims of their tumor. The findings that seemed to favor a poor prognosis were higher age and female sex of the patient as well as deep location, large size, necrotic areas and high mitotic activity of the tumor.