Histological vascular invasion by tumors is a risk factor for distant metastasis in malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The appearance of distant metastasis is a fatal sign in patients with soft tissue sarcoma. Therefore, we studied the risk factors associated with distant metastasis that appear in malignant fibrous histiocytoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised sixty patients treated for malignant fibrous histiocytoma at our hospital between 1991 and 2002. We retrospectively studied whether age, tumor size, tumor site, developmental form, surgical margin, local recurrence, histological subtype, vascular invasion and histological grade are risk factors associated with the appearance of distant metastasis. RESULTS: A univariate analysis showed that, for those patients older than 70 years of age, insufficient surgical margin, the presence of local recurrence and vascular invasion are significant risk factors associated with the appearance of distant metastasis. A multivariate analysis showed only the presence of vascular invasion to be a significant risk factor as well. CONCLUSION: Histological vascular invasion by tumors is a risk factor associated with distant metastasis that appears in malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Taking early measures for patients with vascular invasion is necessary to improve the prognosis.