A CASE OF RETROPERITONEAL MALIGNANT FIBROUS HISTIOCYTOMA

Abstract

This paper presents a recent experience with a case of retroperitoneal malignant fibrous histiocytoma. A 62-year-old woman was seen at the hospital because of an abdominal tumor.A 12×10cm tumor mass extending from the left hypochondrium to left lateral region was palpated.Abdominal ultrasonography and CT visualizied a well defined oval tumor. Angiography confirmed a serpentine irregular vascular figure.It was diagnosed as sarcoma arising in the retroperitoneum and the tumor was removed.The well encapsulated tumor was 11.5×10.5×8.5cm in size and 560g in weight.The cut surface was solid, scattered with cysts with less than 1cm in size, and partially included hemorrhagic portions. Histological diagnosis of malignant fibrous hystiocytoma was made.No radiotherapy or chemotherapy was conducted postoperatively. There has been no recurrence, as of one year and 9 months after the operation.As this disease is considered to arize in the retroperitoneum in a relatively high frequency, further such cases may be increasingly reported. Preoperative imaging methods present difficulties in definite diagnosis of this disease. Good prognosis can not be expected for the advanced tumor. Early surgical removal of the tumor would be the best and only therapy.