Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the pharynx

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma of late adult life, but is relatively uncommon in the head and neck region. That region has been reported to be the origin of malignant fibrous histiocytoma in 3-10% of cases. Only one case of the tumor occurring in the pharynx has been reported. Histologically it is sometimes hard to distinguish this tumor from some sarcomas and pleomorphic carcinomas. The treatment of choice is a large surgical resection, while radiotherapy and chemotherapy are reserved for recurrences. The authors present a case of oropharyngeal malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The patient complained dysphagia and dyslalia progressively worsening in six months. Pharyngo-laryngoscopy revealed a mass of the left lateral wall of oro and hypopharynx. CT scan examination showed a capsuled mass which displaced but not involved the neck neurovascular structures; there was no evidence of linphonodal involvement. Transoral surgical excision of the mass was performed with the preservation of speech and swallowing. For more than 1 year postoperatively, there has been no evidence of the disease or metastasis.