Tc-99m diphosphonate uptake in malignant fibrous histiocytoma: a possible iron-related effect

A man with malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the thigh had avid uptake of Tc-99m MDP in the lesion. Review of tissue sections showed considerable accumulation of iron in the tumor. Iron is known to be a potential nidus for deposition of the Tc-99m diphosphonates. A review was made of tissue sections from two other reported cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma which also had significant accumulation of Tc-99m diphosphonates. Both revealed iron within the tumor. The origin of the iron is unknown (perhaps from necrosis and hemorrhage, from trauma, or from innate phagocytic activity of the histiocytes). However, this observation may serve as a stimulus to studies attempting to discern the underlying mechanisms of extraosseous deposition of the Tc-99m diphosphonates.