key papersKey paper
Myxofibrosarcoma: clinicopathological analysis of 75 cases with emphasis on the low-grade variant
This series defined myxofibrosarcoma as a distinct sarcoma of elderly limbs with characteristic curvilinear blood vessels and a strong tendency to recur locally and progress in grade, features that still guide its wide excision.
Overview
Clinicopathological study of 75 cases of myxofibrosarcoma establishing diagnostic criteria (multinodular growth, myxoid stroma, curvilinear vessels, pleomorphic cells), a grading spectrum from low to high grade, a local recurrence rate of about 50 to 60 percent often with grade progression, and metastasis mainly from high-grade tumours.
Observational studyChanged practice75 participants
Authors
Mentzel T, Calonje E, Wadden C, et al.
Published
American Journal of Surgical Pathology, 1996
Findings
- Local recurrence in over half of cases regardless of grade, with progression to higher grade in a proportion.
- Metastasis mostly from intermediate- and high-grade tumours.
What it means
The recognition that myxofibrosarcoma infiltrates along tissue planes far beyond the visible mass underlies the wide, MRI-planned excision and adjuvant radiotherapy recommended today.
Caveats
- Retrospective pathology series.