Some epidemiological characteristics of malignant fibrous histiocytoma in the Province of Vojvodina

BACKGROUND: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is most common soft tissue sarcoma occurring in late adult life, most in the extremities and in the retroperitoneum, usually developing in deep fascia or skeletal muscle. Because of the aggressive nature of the tumor early and complete surgical removal is indicated. The overall survival rate of patients with malignant fibrous histiocytoma ranges from 36% to 58% at 5 years. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma in Vojvodina is still rare malignancy either in incidence or in mortality in both sexes. The population of Vojvodina is about 2 100 000. METHODS: We used a descriptive epidemiological method to analyze incidence and mortality from malignant fibrous histiocytoma in Vojvodina. This study is based on the Cancer Registry data for the ten-year period from 1993 to 2002. RESULTS: During the observed period 37 cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma were reported (19 men and 18 women). The average age of patients was 50 years. The body site distribution differed between sexes and malignant fibrous histiocytoma was more common on the trunk (retroperitoneum) in men and on the lower limbs in women. The average annual incidence rate for the observed period was 1.82 per 1 000 000 for both sexes. The incidence rate changed irregularly over the observed period with the peak of 9 cases (4.55 per 1 000 000) in 2001. The overall linear trends of incidence and of mortality showed a slight increasing tendency in both sexes, but not significantly. Concerning mortality, the similar patterns were noticed. The mortality rate was 0.83 per 1 000 000. CONCLUSION: According to epidemiological data we obtained it can be concluded that Province of Vojvodina is not a region with an important risk for malignant fibrous histiocytoma; however, the increase of incidence appearing in both men and women should be taken into account very seriously in future.