title: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma.
abstract: Seven cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma are reported. Two patients had tumour involving the scrotum and small-gut mesentery, which are unusual primary sites, while three others with pulmonary metastases are alive five years since the appearance of these metastases. A review of the histogenesis, biological behaviour and the treatment of these uncommon tumours suggests that the prognosis is good even in the presence of advanced local or metastatic disease. Radiotherapy controlled the primary lesion in one patient and was effective in treating pulmonary metastases in three, suggesting that these tumours do show a response to radiotherapy. The prophylactic use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy awaits further evaluation.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005834:Genital Neoplasms, Male / Q000601:surgery; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D007421:Intestine, Small; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D012611:Scrotum / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery