Radiation-induced malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the transverse colon: case report and review of the literature.

We report the first case, to our knowledge, of a malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the transverse colon that seems to have been induced by radiation and we review the 12 other cases of colorectal MFH in the literature. The frequency of recurrence after radical surgery was 33% (4/12), excluding a patient with synchronous liver metastases, during the follow-up periods reported in the literature. The presence of ulceration of the tumor was a factor indicating poor prognosis (P < 0.001). Our patient had local recurrence and peritoneal metastases within only 3 months after curative resection and died 4 months after the initial operation. This case may suggest the necessity of adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy in such patients, although the effectiveness of these methods has not been confirmed.