Radiation therapy in the treatment of malignant fibrous histiocytoma

Between September 1%9, and September 1978, 17 patients with localized malignant fibrous histiocytomas received radiotherapy at The Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals. Of 5 patients who were treated by radiotherapy alone, 2 were locally controlled: a literature survey revealed that local control was obtained in only 2 of 16 patients treated by radiotherapy alone. Of the 12 patients treated postoperatively, 9 were controlled locally, whereas 12 of 14 patients collected from the literature were controlled with postoperative radiotherapy. Local recurrence following resection is reduced from approximately 50% to 20% by post-operative irradiation. Seven of 17 patients (41 %) developed distant metastases: six patients have died, and the remaining 11 have been followed for 12 to 35 months (median, 25 months). Radiotherapy can eradicate small tumor masses, and given postoperatively, appears to lower risk of recurrence.