title: A correlative cytologic and histologic study of malignant fibrous histiocytoma: an analysis of 40 cases examined by fine-needle aspiration cytology.
abstract: A correlative cytologic and histologic study of 40 cases of histologically highly pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is presented. The fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed preoperatively, and a diagnosis of malignant soft-tissue tumor could be established in all cases. The cytologic and histologic features corresponded well with each other. The two main cell types were mono- and multinucleated, large polymorphic, often bizarre, histiocyte-like cells and atypical fibroblast-like cells. For a correct diagnosis of pleomorphic MFH, it is important to recognize atypical large polymorphic tumor cells showing signs of phagocytosis: prominent cytoplasmic vacuolization, cell debris or even well-preserved cells within the tumor cell cytoplasm. Phagocytic activity was easily demonstrated in air-dried and May-Grünwald Giemsa-stained material. The differential diagnosis of MFH as opposed to other soft-tissue sarcomas and pleomorphic carcinomas is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013194:Staining and Labeling