Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the mandible: the importance of an accurate histopathological diagnosis

A case is presented of a malignant fibrous histiocytoma arising in the mandible and oral cavity of a 62-year old woman. The histopathological features were typical and the diagnosis was confirmed on immunohistochemistry. The exact nature of this usually soft tissue sarcoma is uncertain, but it is a well defined clinicopathological tumour entity which only rarely arises in the jaws. Microscopically, it may resemble other neoplasms, such as sarcomatoid squamous carcinoma, and an accurate diagnosis requires the use of immunohistochemistry or electron microscopy. Treatment is primarily surgical, but because of the difficulties at this site of complete removal with adequate margins, recurrence, metastasis and death due to disease are a likely outcome.