title: Atypical fibroxanthoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the skin.
abstract: A case of cutaneous atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) which metastasized, leading to patient death, is described. This is the third reported case in which a lesion qualified as AFX behaves in such an aggressive manner, comparable with that of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). Ki-67 proliferation index, p53 and bcl-2 protein expression and DNA ploidy were also consistent with a highly malignant potential. The controversial issue of the biological behavior of AFX and its relationship with MFH is discussed. The authors conclude that MFH and AFX probably represent a single entity with a split biological "personality".
authors.affiliation: Unit of Pathology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy. melato@univ.trieste.it
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rizzardi
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Angiero
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melato
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011003:Ploidies; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53