Liposarcoma
Liposarcoma (LS), a type of soft tissue sarcoma, describes a group of lipomatous tumors of varying severity ranging from slow-growing to aggressive and metastatic. Liposarcomas are most often located in the lower extremities or retroperitoneum, but they can also occur in the upper extremities, neck, peritoneal cavity, spermatic cord, breast, vulva and axilla.
Epidemiology
Liposarcomas account for approximately 15-20% of all soft tissue sarcomas. The incidence is approximately 1 per 100, 000 persons/years.
Clinical description
They can affect all age groups but are most frequently seen in middle-aged and older adults. Liposarcomas are classified into 4 biological groups (encompassing five histological subtypes): well-differentiated (WDLS), dedifferentiated (DDLS), myxoid /round cell (MRCLS) and pleomorphic (PLS) (see these terms).
Etiology
The etiology is unknown but many chromosomal aberrations are found in liposarcomas.
Prognosis
The prognosis is dependent on the specific subtype, size, stage and location of the disease.