Inflammatory malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the ovary producing interleukin-6: A case report.
OBJECTIVE
Inflammatory malignant fibrous histiocytoma (IMFH) is composed of fibroblastic and histiocytic elements with a marked inflammatory cell infiltrate. The authors examined the case of a 43-year-old woman with IMFH of the ovary.


METHODS
The serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were examined and immunohistochemical analysis of the tumor was performed using monoclonal antibodies against lysozyme, alpha 1-antitripsin, vimentin, and IL-6.


RESULTS
The patient had marked general inflammatory reactions of fever (38.0 degrees C), leukocytosis with 78.3% neutrophils, elevated CRP (23.5 mg/dl), and accelerated ESR (166 mm/h). The serum IL-6 concentration was 499 pg/ml. The right ovary was occupied by the solid tumor, composed of both fibrous and histiocytic elements with a marked inflammatory cell infiltrate. These inflammatory reactions disappeared after surgical resection and recurred when the tumor reappeared. The immunohistochemical staining of lysozyme, alpha 1-antitrypsin, vimentin, and IL-6 was localized to the malignant cells, suggesting their histiocytic origin.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first case of IMFH of the ovary producing IL-6. Expression of IL-6 in the IMFH may account for both the local and the systemic inflammatory effects of tumors with these morphological features.
Yamakawa
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama-shi, 930-0194, Japan.
Fujimura
M
M
Hidaka
T
T
Yasoshima
K
K
Saito
S
S
D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein