Clinical Study on Malignant Fibrous/Fibrohistiocytic Tumors

Abstract

Background: Malignant fibrous/fibrohistiocytic tumors are uncommon soft tissue tumors which gives dermatologists special attention on differential diagnosis. However, there has not yet been a multicenter study on these tumors in Korea.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology and clinical features of malignant fibrous/ fiborhistiocytic tumors.

Methods: A total of 62 patients from 11 training hospitals who had been confirmed with malignant fibrous/ fibrohistiocytic tumor were studied. A retrospective analysis of hospital records served as the data source for this study.

Results: Among patients with malignant fibrous/fibrohistiocytic tumors, the most common tumor type was dermatofibrosarcoma protuberance followed by malignant fibrohistiocytic. The male to female ratio among subjects was 1.38 to 1 and the mean age was 44 years old. Of the common complaints recorded, asymptomatic mass was the most frequent. The mean size of the subjects’ tumors was 2.9 cm in the long axis and 2.3 cm in the short axis with a mean tumor thickness of 2.1 mm. The most common site for tumors was the back followed by the thigh. The recurrence rate after primary treatment was 14.5% and metastasis developed in 5 of 62 patients.

Conclusion: This study is expected to be helpful for understanding the clinical and pathological characteristics of malignant fibrous/fibrohistiocytic tumors.