Sarcomas

Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma (MFH) 

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), a type of sarcoma, is a malignant neoplasm of uncertain origin that arises both in soft tissue and bone. It was first introduced in 1961 by Kauffman and Stout and controversy has plagued it since. They described MFH as a tumor rich in histiocytes with a storiform growth pattern. By 1977, MFH was considered the most common soft tissue sarcoma of adult life. Despite the frequency of diagnosis, MFH has remained an enigma. No true cell of origin has ever been identified. In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) declassified MFH as a formal diagnostic entity and renamed it as an undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma not otherwise specified, NOS. This new terminology has been supported by a compelling body of evidence over the last decade to suggest that MFH represents a final common pathway in tumors that under go progression towards undifferentiation. While it remains unclear how to most accurately organize these tumors, the term malignant fibrous histiocytoma represents the diagnosis for thousands of patients and is still commonly used by both patients and physicians. Dr. Carol D. Morris, Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, has written an in-depth article, Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma (MFH), of soft tissue tumors once diagnosed as MFH for our Electronic Sarcoma Update Newsletter (ESUN). Her article gives an extensive set of references to articles dealing with this disease. We are grateful to her, an extremely busy physician and researcher, for finding the time to undertake this project. Click on the above link to view her article.

There are over 50 subtypes of sarcoma. The American Cancer Society's Key Statistics About Sarcoma states that the most common types of soft tissue sarcoma are: MFH or Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma (28%), liposarcoma (15%), LMS or leiomyosarcoma (12%), synovial sarcoma (10%), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (6%), and rhabdomyosarcoma (5%). All of the other types of soft tissue sarcoma occur at percentages of 3% or less. The ACS' Key Statistics for Bone Cancer states that the most common types of bone cancer are osteosarcoma (35%), chondrosarcoma (26%), Ewing's bone sarcoma (16%), chordoma (8%), and malignant fibrous histiocytoma/fibrosarcoma (6%). Other rare bone cancers account for the remaining 9%.

Where else can one learn about Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma (MFH)? Steve Dunn's CancerGuide provides a very useful starting point for undertaking investigations into cancer and cancer-related issues on the Internet. Among other things, he discusses how to research the medical literature and how to use and access medical databases and online resources. He explains the medical research cycle, where to get medical references and describes the various types of papers in the medical literature, and how to find and use a medical library. A word of caution: while the Internet is a wonderful tool to gain access to information, simply because information appears on the Internet does not necessarily indicate that it is accurate or truthful. Any heath information that you obtain on the internet should be reviewed with your physician. Interested readers are encouraged to continue their understanding of angiosarcoma by examining the resources at the websites listed below: Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma on the Doctor's Doctor website Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma on the eMedicine website Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma Clinical Resources on the Rural Nurse Organization website Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma Patient/Family Resources on the Rural Nurse Organization website The Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative ESUN Newsletter