Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the conjunctiva

Fibrous histiocytomas are mesenchymal tumours composed of cells with fibroblastic to histiocytic differentiation. They can occur in any part of the body including the orbital tissues. To date, there are 18 cases of fibrous histiocytoma arising from the corneoscleral limbus reported in the literature. Eleven of these were classified as benign, and the rest were malignant fibrous histiocytomas. Benign fibrous histiocytomas have been reported in the orbit, eyelid, episclera and conjunctiva. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma has been well described in the orbit, but rarely as a primary conjunctival tumour. The rarity of the tumour makes its diagnosis and management a challenge. Herein, the clinicopathological features of a case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma are presented and its management with wide excision and cryotherapy followed by ocular reconstruction with amniotic membrane transplant is discussed.