Primary pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the heart

Abstract

Primary pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the heart is rare. The present study was performed to study the clinical and pathological features of the disease. We describe two rare cases of primary cardiac malignant fibrous histiocytoma and review the published individual data of the patients. Both patients complained of dyspnea, and underwent palliative tumor resection. However, they died several months after surgery. A thorough literature review with clinical presentations, diagnostic features, treatment, and outcomes was done. We have for the first time analyzed the factors related to the survival of malignant fibrous histiocytoma. It is usually difficult to make an appropriate preoperative diagnosis. Despite complete surgical resection and aggressive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the prognosis is still poor.

Keywords: Heart neoplasms; Malignant fibrous histiocytoma; Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma.