Malignant fibrous histiocytomas in children

The natural history of malignant fibrous histiocytomas in children has not been well delineated. During a 6-year period, we have treated six patients less than 18 years of age. The sites of origin included the retroperitoneum in 2 patients, neck in 2 patients, and extremities in 2 patients. Surgical treatment consisted of wide local excision in 5 patients and amputation in 12; radiation and/or chemotherapy were administered to 2 patients following resection of all tumor. All children remain free of local recurrence or distant metastases with a median follow-up in excess of 4 years. These data suggest that malignant fibrous histiocytomas in children may have a better prognosis than in adults.