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Pleomorphic spindle cell sarcoma (PSCS) formerly known as malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH): a complex malignant soft-tissue tumor

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Abstract

A presentation defining the nature, characteristics, causation, treatment and outcome of patients with lesions formerly known as malignant fibrous histiocytoma and now as pleomorphic spindle cell sarcoma is clearly a very difficult subject. Many authors do not believe that the tumor exists and instead describe them as forms of fibrosarcomas, fibromyxoid lesions, dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas or even leiomyosarcomas. The reasons for this confusion are presumably related to the fact that the malignant pleomorphic spindle cell sarcoma does not seem to be a distinct type of lesion with specific histologic and genetic characteristics. Instead, the tumor has at least four separate histologic variations and no specific gene signature and in fact does not seem to be either familial or ethnic in presentation. In view of the fact that the tumor was traditionally the most frequently encountered malignant soft-tissue neoplasm, the world of orthopedic oncology is clearly distressed by the problems that these patients have and is joined by the radiation oncologists and chemotherapists in seeking new solutions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    H. J. Mankin & F. J. Hornicek

  2. Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Hospital, New York, NY, USA

    A. L. Schiller

  3. Orthopaedic Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, 1122A Jackson Building, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    H. J. Mankin

  4. Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    T. F. DeLaney

  5. Department of Hematology, Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    D. C. Harmon

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  1. H. J. Mankin
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  2. F. J. Hornicek
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  3. T. F. DeLaney
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  4. D. C. Harmon
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  5. A. L. Schiller
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Correspondence to H. J. Mankin.

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Mankin, H.J., Hornicek, F.J., DeLaney, T.F. et al. Pleomorphic spindle cell sarcoma (PSCS) formerly known as malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH): a complex malignant soft-tissue tumor. Musculoskelet Surg 96, 171–177 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12306-012-0225-0

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