Atypical fibroxanthoma of the skin.

Abstract

Atypical fibroxanthoma is a solitary tumor of the skin, which occurs on sun-exposed areas in elderly people. The diagnosis can only be made with certainty on the typical histological findings, which suggest a bizarre malignant tumor. Although metastasizing tumors are reported in the literature, the true atypical fibroxanthoma is benign. Correct diagnosis obviates the need for unnecessary radical surgery. The possibility of atypical fibroxanthoma should always be considered when a histologically bizarre tumor is found on sun-damaged or irradiation damaged skin in elderly patients or on previously traumatized sites. Five cases are added to the 346 cases culled from the literature. EM investigations in 1 case demonstrated cells with delicate cytoplasmic fibrils in small bundles. This does not necessarily suggest filaments of myofibroblasts, as was previously reported.