A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the head after trauma and radiation therapy

Abstract

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) firstly described as "malignant fibrous xanthoma" by O' Brien and Stout in 1964, is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of late adult life. Uncertain histogenesis and numerous subtypes make MFH a rather controversial entity. MFH only rare arises from structures of the head and neck. When it does, it most often originates in facial structures, particularly the maxilla. This report details a case of a patient with malignant fibrous histiocytoma presenting clinically as a right-sided large indurated frontoparietal mass, three months after head trauma and eight years after radiation therapy for brain lymphoma located in the right frontal and parietal lobes. Radical excision was a surgical challenge because of the extensiveness of the lesion.