Benign cellular fibrous histiocytoma with erosion of the phalanx

Fibrohistiocytic tumors are characterized by the presence of fibroblast like spindle cells and histiocytes. The benign fibrous histiocytoma (dermatofibroma, BFH) as well as the malignant dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) and the malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) belong to this group. A recurrent painful, hard 2 cm tumor on the left hallux of a 54-year-old woman led to an erosion of the underlying phalanx. The patient had suffered from ingrown toenails for more than 10 years. Histologically there was a deep penetrating fibrohistiocytic tumor that grew in a storiform pattern with interspersed foam cells. The tumor was CD34 negative and mitoses were scarce. The diagnosis was benign cellular fibrous histiocytoma (BZFH). BZFH belong to the group of BFH with a high recurrence rate especially after incomplete removal. Damage to the underlying bone has not been reported so far.