Metastasizing atypical fibroxanthoma (cutaneous malignant histiocytoma): report of five cases.
BACKGROUND
Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) is an unusual malignant fibrohistiocytic tumor of sun-damaged skin. When first described, it was felt to be a reactive tumor of low malignant potential. More recently, it has been shown to be a tumor of intermediate malignant potential.


OBJECTIVE
To describe five cases of metastatic AFX.


RESULTS
Five patients ranging in age from 65 to 85 years old presented with metastatic AFX. Three of the five cases presented with regional lymph node disease. Also, three of the five cases had other aggressive cutaneous malignancies. LN-2 (CD74) staining was positive in three of five primary tumors and two of five metastatic tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
The metastatic potential of AFX may be underestimated. LN-2 staining may be a useful marker in identifying more aggressive tumor behavior.
Cooper
Jennifer Z
JZ
Department of Dermatology, Division of Otolaryngology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642, USA. jennifer_cooper@urmc.rochester.edu
Newman
Scott R
SR
Scott
Glynis A
GA
Brown
Marc D
MD
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005145:Face / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012535:Scalp / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000473:pathology