title: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the gingiva.
abstract: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is widely regarded as the commonest soft tissue sarcoma of adulthood which tends to occur in the deep soft tissues of the extremities and the retroperitoneum. Uncertain histogenesis and numerous subtypes make MFH a rather controversial entity. These tumours are relatively rare in the head and neck region accounting for only 1-3% of all cases of MFH. MFH exhibits a heterogenous histology of spindle cells in a characteristic storiform pattern with pleomorphic tumour cells and giant cells. A case is reported of an MFH of the gingiva in a 60-year-old woman who presented with a painful swelling originating from the left maxillary gingiva. The clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, Adhiparasakthi Dental College & Hospital, Tamil Nadu, India. vijigowdhaman@gmail.com
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vijayalakshmi
authors.forename: Shabana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fathima
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ramakrishnan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Devi
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005887:Gingival Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D051677:Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged