Primary hepatic malignant fibrous histiocytoma mimicking cystadenocarcinoma: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is the most common sarcoma of soft tissue, which occurs usually in the extremities, but less common in the retroperitoneal space, abdominal cavity or other sites. Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver is extremely rare; only 28 cases have been reported to date in the English literature.


METHODS
In this report, a case of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver was described in terms of clinical presentations, diagnosis and treatment and outcome.


RESULTS
A 50-year-old man had a large multicystic-mass lesion in the left lobe of the liver, which was inoperable by laparotomy. Pathological examination of biopsy specimen after operation confirmed a malignant fibrous histiocytoma of storiform-pleomorphic type. The tumor developed rapidly, and the patient died of hepatic failure 2 months after the surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver is diagnosed in late stage because of its rarity and non-specific presentations. Surgical resection, if feasible, is the first step treatment. The prognosis of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver is grim with a median survival of 3 months as reported. Surgeons should be alert to the existence of this type of soft tissue tumor in the liver.
Ding
Guang-Hui
GH
Department of Comprehensive Treatment, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China. guanghuiding@yahoo.com.cn
Wu
Meng-Chao
MC
Yang
Jia-He
JH
Cheng
Shu-Qun
SQ
Li
Nan
N
Liu
Kai
K
Dai
Bing-Hua
BH
Cong
Wen-Ming
WM
D003536:Cystadenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D051677:Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged