Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is one of the most common adult soft tissue sarcomas. MFH is very aggressive and is most often found in the extremities and the retroperitoneum, but it can manifest at other sites. Though the lungs are the most common sites of metastasis, they rarely present there as a primary tumor. Our report describes a rare case of a primary MFH tumor in the lung. Careful diagnostic procedure should be followed to ensure the tumor does not have extrapulmonary origins. Though MFH is highly invasive and deadly, surgical excision of the tumor has been shown to be successful.
An accurate cancer diagnosis is critical as it can direct the use of site-directed, and potentially more effective, treatment options for specific types of cancer. A differential or uncertain diagnosis could prevent cancer patients from receiving optimal treatment, thus affecting their overall prognosis. Advances in molecular technology have led to the development of molecular cancer classifiers that can direct or confirm the diagnosis of metastatic cancers which would otherwise be considered uncertain or unknown. This case report describes the role of molecular diagnostics in the evaluation of a patient with a large pancreatic mass and a history of breast cancer. Results from a 92-gene molecular profiling assay (CancerTYPE ID®) predicted that this new mass was breast cancer. This diagnosis allowed for effective treatment and complete response in this patient.
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