title: Superficial malignant fibrous histiocytoma presenting as recurrent atypical fibroxanthoma.
abstract: Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) are neoplasms of probable fibrohistiocytic lineage. The precise relationship between AFX and MFH remains controversial. We present two cases in which a lesion was excised from the face of an elderly person and reported as AFX. Both cases recurred within 12 months and were reclassified as MFH. They were excised with slow Mohs' micrographic surgery, with adjuvant radiotherapy in one case. In the other, a further recurrence was treated with orbital exenteration and radiotherapy. We review the difficulties in differentiating between AFX and MFH and the implications for treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. hoanglydr@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Hoang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ly
authors.forename: Dinesh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Selva
authors.forename: Craig L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Shyamala C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Huilgol
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005138:Eyebrows / Q000473:pathology; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015580:Mohs Surgery; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D017233:Orbit Evisceration; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012535:Scalp / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*