Liposarcoma physical examination

Liposarcoma Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Liposarcoma from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
X-ray
Echocardiography and Ultrasound
CT scan
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Liposarcoma physical examination On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Liposarcoma physical examination All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Liposarcoma physical examination
CDC on Liposarcoma physical examination
Liposarcoma physical examination in the news
Blogs on Liposarcoma physical examination
Directions to Hospitals Treating Liposarcoma
Risk calculators and risk factors for Liposarcoma physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Alejandro Lemor, M.D. [2]

Physical Examination

• The physical examination findings will depend on the location of the lyposarcoma, the most common locations are in the extremities or retroperitoneal.
• It is important to search for lymph node enlargement to determine the stage of the disease.
• An entire body examination is mandatory to assess lymph node involvement and distant metastasis.

Liposarcoma in the right knee. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Extremities

• The most common location is in the lower extremities, specially in the tight or popliteal region.
• A painless mass is palpated in the anatomic location of the liposarcoma.
• In the physical examination, is important to assess the following characteristics:

• Size
• Location
• Depth
• Involvement of adjacent structures (such as peripheral nerves or veins)
• Edema

Retroperitoneal

• The physical examination might be unremarkable in case of retroperitoneal liposarcomas.
• Physical findings include:

• Palpable mass in any of the abdominal quadrants (more common in the lower quadrants)