Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is a mesenchymal tumor rarely found in the maxilla, and its prognosis is very poor. We report a case of MFH arising in the right maxilla of a patient who has survived for a prolonged period after tumorectomy.
A 78-year-old man was referred to our department because of a mass in the right palatal region. Initial biopsy examination revealed a sarcoma; however, the histological type was unable to be determined. On immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopic examination of a second biopsy specimen, a diagnosis of MFH was made. Continuous arterial infusion of 5 -FU and external irradiation with Co60-γ rays were given preoperatively. After chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the size of the tumor mass decreased. The tumor was excised with a partial maxillectomy. Thers is no clinical evidence of recurrence as of 8.5 years postoperatively.