| Abstract: | The inter-group study of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of softtissue (MFH) was performed during the period January, 1988,to August, 1992 (4 yr 7 mo). There were 107 patients evaluatedwith an age range of 11 to 92 yr and an average age of 62.0yr. There were 63 males and 44 females. The duration of follow-upwas from 7 mo to 4 yr 5 mo with an average of 2 yr 6.2 mo. MFHoccurred principally as a mass on an extremity (lower extremity62%), upper extremity 18%, trunk 25%, head and neck 2%). Ittypically involved deep fascia or skeletal muscle (68%) or superficialsubcutis (35%). There were 77 storiform-pleomorphic, 22 myxoid,three giant cell, two inflammatory and three angiomatoid variants.The absolute three-year survival rate for all 107 patients was72%. Patients with tumors located on extremities had a betterthree-year survival rate than patients with tumors located onthe trunk or head and neck (81 vs 54%). There was, however,no statistical difference between the two groups. The prognosisfor patients with deep muscular lesions, > 10 cm in diameter,was poor. The depth of the tumor significantly affects survival.The group with superficial tumors had a significantly betterthree-year survival rate than the other group (86 vs 68%). Localrecurrences were found in 8% of patients who had had "complete"excisions. Inadequate surgery greatly increases the incidenceof local recurrence and compromises longterm survival. Evaluationsof tumor responses to preoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapyby histological studies were made. In total, 38 patients wereevaluated. Responses to single and combination chemotherapyoccurred in 31% of patients, a rate similar to that seen forother sarcomas. |
