A case of recurrent malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the mesentery

•MFH of the mesentery is a highly malignant tumor with early recurrence.•The prognosis for MFH is poor.•The surgery of recurrent MFH of the mesentery might provide good prognosis.

Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) mainly occurs in the extremities, trunk and retroperitoneum. However, MFH of the mesentery is very rare, and locally recurred MFH is even rarer. MFH is severely malignant and invasive regionally. The neoplasm can spread quickly. This report is about a case of a recurred MFH in the mesentery, which locally recurred within 3 years from the original operation. The patient (female, age 71) underwent a resection of the small bowl and mesentery of the recurrent MFH with negative resection margins. In the 24 months that followed, there has not been any evidence of recurrence or other metastasis in the patient. Although the prognosis of recurred MFH in mesentery was poor, a clear resection might provide a good opportunity for long-term survival, suggesting that surgery might be an effective treatment. This is the first report on the surgical treatment of recurrent MFH of the mesentery.