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Atypical Fibroxanthoma

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Abstract

Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) is an uncommon neoplasm that typically involves sun-damaged areas of the head and neck; it is seen most frequently in elderly white men. UV radiation has been found to cause DNA damage in dermal fibroblasts and has been associated with the development of AFX. AFX typically presents as a rapidly growing, red, often ulcerated nodule on the ear, face, or scalp. AFX can resemble several other neoplasms, both clinically and histologically. Therefore, histologic examination, along with use of immunohistochemical stains, is essential in the diagnosis of AFX. Once a diagnosis of AFX is made, the treatment of choice is complete surgical removal. Treatment with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has been found to be superior to treatment with wide local excision (WLE). MMS has the advantages of allowing for tissue conservation, which is especially important on the head and neck, and of achieving total microscopic margin control. Local recurrence, metastasis to regional lymph nodes, and distant metastasis have been reported; therefore, regular, long-term follow-up is recommended for at least the first 2 years after diagnosis of AFX.

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Abbreviations

AFX:

Atypical fibroxanthoma

MFH:

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma

MMS:

Mohs micrographic surgery

WLE:

Wide local excision

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Richelle M. Knudson, Robert H. Cook-Norris, Jeremy S. Youse & Randall K. Roenigk

Authors
  1. Richelle M. Knudson
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  2. Robert H. Cook-Norris
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  3. Jeremy S. Youse
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  4. Randall K. Roenigk
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert H. Cook-Norris .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Miller School of Medicine, Dept. Dermatology, University of Miami, NW. 10th Ave. 1600, Miami, 33136, Florida, USA

    Keyvan Nouri

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Knudson, R.M., Cook-Norris, R.H., Youse, J.S., Roenigk, R.K. (2012). Atypical Fibroxanthoma. In: Nouri, K. (eds) Mohs Micrographic Surgery. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2152-7_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2152-7_21

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