Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lung. Report of four cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND. Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the lung is a rare clinical entity. Only 23 reports of 49 cases have been reported in the literature. Surgery was the primary mode of therapy, with high rates of local and distant recurrence reported. The role of radiation therapy and chemotherapy has never been clearly defined. METHODS. The records of the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale and Rochester from 1970 to 1990 were reviewed for cases of primary pulmonary MFH. A review of the literature was also undertaken. RESULTS. Four cases from the Mayo records and 49 cases from a review of the literature were identified. Eight patients were alive at 5 years from diagnosis; all had been treated with surgery as the primary modality. No definite relationship between histologic subtype of MFH and survival could be identified and no definite role of radiation therapy or chemotherapy could be defined. CONCLUSIONS. MFH of the lung should be treated by surgical resection if technically feasible. The role of adjuvant therapy remains undefined. (C) 1996 American Cancer Society.