Liposarcoma overview
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Liposarcoma Microchapters |
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Liposarcoma overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Liposarcoma overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Alejandro Lemor, M.D. [2]; Ammu Susheela, M.D. [3]
Overview
Liposarcoma is a uncommon cancer of connective tissues. Liposarcoma is a malignant tumor that arises in fat cells in deep soft tissue, such as that inside the thigh or in the retroperitoneum.
They are typically large bulky tumors which tend to have multiple smaller satellites extending beyond the main confines of the tumor.
Historical Perspective
Liposarcoma was first described by Dr. Rudolph Virchow, a German pathologist, in 1857. Virchow reported a "myxoma lipomatoides malignum", highlighting the malignant nature of the tumor. Between 1954 and 1979, several authors reported cases of liposarcoma and suggested that liposarcoma should be classified according to histopathological analysis into well-differentiated, myxoid, and dedifferentiated subtypes.
Classification
Liposarcoma may be classified into well-differentiated, de-differentiated, myxoid, round cell, or pleomorphic liposarcoma.
Pathophysiology
The pathogenesis of liposarcoma depends on the histological subtype. The role of proto-oncogenes has been implicated in the development of well-differentiated liposarcoma
Causes
There are no established causes for liposarcoma.
Differential Diagnosis
Liposarcoma must be differentiated from other diseases that cause a painless, growing mass such as spindle cell lipoma, neurofibroma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Liposarcoma is the second most common type of all soft tissue sarcomas in adults. The annual incidence is 0.25 cases per 100,000 individuals. Men are slightly more affected with liposarcoma than women. It is most frequent in middle-aged and older adults.
Risk Factors
Common risk factors in the development of liposarcoma include chemical carcinogens, radiation, immunodeficiency, genetic disorders, and viral infections.