Retroperitoneal malignant fibrous histiocytoma mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma

Authors review the case history and follow-up of a rare malignant fibrous histiocytoma patient, based on the relevant literary data. A palpatable abdominal mass was found in a 40-year-old man. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 13 cm × 11 cm sized mass, suspect of being hepatocellular carcinoma in the right hepatic lobe. The tumor was resected through a transabdominal approach, but the origin of the mass was the retroperitoneam. The resected specimen measured 22 cm × 18 cm × 15 cm, and weighed 1800 g. The histologic examination showed that the lesion was malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Authors regard their case worthy of publication because of the retroperitoneal location and significant size of the tumor, and because of the unproven diagnosis prior to surgery. Even after 5 years the patient is symptom- and complaint-free, and CT has revealed no local recurrence.