Abstract:

Objective To understand the clinical and histopathologic diagnostic criteria for aneurysmal fibrous histiocytoma （AFH）. Methods The clinical and histopathological features of 5 patients with AFH were retrospectively reviewed. Results There were 3 males and 2 females in these patients. All the tumors clinically manifested as dark erythematous or brown nodules. Three cases had a recent history of rapid growth. The lesions were located on the limbs （n = 3）, or chest and lower mandible （n = 2）. Histopathological examination of skin biopsies showed typical features of dermatofibroma, accompanied by many irregular cleft-like or cavernous blood-filled spaces with numerous hemosiderin pigments in all of these cases. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were immunoreactive to vimentin and CD68 but negative for CD34 or CD31. Conclusions In view of a history of recent rapid growth, the presence of hemorrhagic pseudocysts and high vascularity, AFH should be differentiated from angiosarcoma and angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma.

Key words: clinical and histological features