Liposarcoma

The following are the signs and symptoms of liposarcoma:

• A slow growing lump beneath the skin that grows slowly and is firm to touch and painless [5]
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness
• Enlargement of the varicose veins
• Blood in stool and vomit

A physical exam of the lump forms the primary basis of diagnosis of liposarcoma. Lumps that are 5cm or larger, are deep seated, and fixed to the structures are candidates for further examination. Following physical examination of the lump, imaging studies such as MRI, CT scan and X-ray are done. MRI being the most reliable in differentiating normal fat from lipomatous tumors in liposarcoma [6]. Positron emission tomography (PET) with FDG uptake imaging may improve risk assessment compared to traditional staging methods [7].

In addition, biopsy of the mass is suggested which is done either through needle biopsy or surgical biopsy. Based on the test results and location of the tumor, the treatment plan is chalked out. The use of cytogenetics in the diagnosis of cutaneous lipomatous tumors may be helpful especially in the identification of chromosomal abnormalities [8].

Surgery usually forms the first line of treatment for individuals with liposarcoma. This is however, the method of choice only when the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. In this procedure, the tumor along with a part of the healthy tissue is surgically removed to avoid the spread of the cancer. In majority of the cases, the affected limb can be spared by only removing the tumor. However, 5% of the cases may require limb amputation to completely eradicate the cancer from the body. In atypical cutaneous liposarcoma, removal by liposuction has been ardently described [9].

Tumors that develop in the abdomen cannot be completely removed and therefore in such situations a combination of methods has to be employed. Surgery along with radiation therapy is used in such cases. Radiation therapy at the site of surgery reduces the rate of recurrence of the tumor in about 80 – 90% cases.

Radiation therapy can also be administered prior to the surgical procedures to shrink the size of the tumor. However, this causes a delay in healing of the surgical wounds. Depending on the site and nature of the tumor various treatment methods are employed.

The role of chemotherapy in treatment of liposarcoma is still not well understood. But it is still recommended in conditions when the disease has spread to other parts of the body. How far the method would help in arresting the growth is yet to be analyzed and confirmed. Combination therapy with radiotherapy and chemotherapy has been found to be effective in treating high grade liposarcoma [10].

Prognosis of the disease condition greatly depends on location of the tumor and its extent of spread to other areas of the body [2]. With surgical removal of the tumor, chances of recurrence exist and are higher for those tumors that are deep seated compared to the superficial ones. Liposarcoma located in the extremities heralds a good prognosis [3]. The well differentiated type and the myxoid type of liposarcoma have 5 year survival rate of 100% and 88% respectively [4]. However, high grade lesions have a poor prognosis with high rates of recurrence. The rate of 5 year survival period varies based on the type of liposarcoma.

Complications

The most common and obvious complication of liposarcoma is the spread of the malignant tumor to other parts of the body. Therefore, early diagnosis of the disease followed by prompt treatment is utmost necessary to arrest the spread of the tumor to other vital organs. If such a condition is not prevented then it can cause life threatening complications.

The exact factor that is causing liposarcoma is not known. There have been instances where patients have reported to develop a tumor after an accident or injury. However, there are no evidences that suggest development of liposarcoma from trauma. Also, such type of cancers is not known to stem from benign lipomas.

Liposarcoma is amongst the 50 types of sarcoma known to affect thousands of individuals across the globe. Such a type of sarcoma was first described in the year 1980 by Virchow. Liposarcoma affects about 2.5 million individuals across the globe. It is the most common form of soft tissue sarcoma accounting for about 17% of all soft tissues sarcomas.

It has also been estimated that liposarcoma strikes more commonly the male population. Incidence of mortality for individuals with high grade liposarcoma is very high. Liposarcoma have been recorded to occur in young adults and teenagers, while those occurring in children are relatively rare [1].

Liposarcoma is a form of lipogenic tumor that affects the deep layer of connective tissues. It occurs due to chromosomal abnormalities that create fusion proteins leading to development of cancer cells. Chromosomal abnormality of band 12q13 is known to play foul in the causation of liposarcomas.

Cancer cannot be prevented; however the spread of the disease can be arrested with prompt diagnosis and initiation of the treatment. The recurrence of liposarcoma post treatment can be prevented by regular follow up with the doctors and checkups. Routine checkup becomes a part of life for patients surviving liposarcoma. MRI and CT scan of the original location is done in addition to X-rays of other areas to study metastasis.

Liposarcoma is a type of cancer of fat cells that occurs in the deep layers of the connective tissues. It can occur in any part of the body, but the most common areas are the abdomen and thigh regions. It mostly affects the adults in the age group of 40 to 60 years. In children usually teenagers fall prey to such a disease condition.

Liposarcoma is of four types differentiated on the nature of the malignant tumor cells. Treatment involves surgical procedures to remove the tumor cells. In addition, radiation and chemotherapy may also be required to arrest the growth of the tumor cells.

Definition

Liposarcoma is cancer of the fatty tissues and it majorly strikes areas of the lower extremities. It is a type of soft tissue sarcoma that primarily affects the adults and in rare cases children. Liposarcoma is divided into 4 different categories based on the nature and grade of the tumor cells.

Cause

The exact cause behind the abnormal development of cells in the fatty tissues is yet to be figured out. However, chromosomal defect is the one which is known to play foul in the causation of liposarcoma.

Symptoms

The lump forms beneath the skin and is firm to touch and is attached to the structures. In addition, individuals with liposarcoma may experience abdominal pain and cramps, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, fatigue, vomiting blood and appearance of blood in stools.

Diagnosis

Careful examination of the lump is the primary diagnosis of liposarcoma. In addition, CT scan and MRI of the lump are done to further analyze the nature of the tumor. Biopsy is required to understand the nature of the tumor.

Treatment

The treatment for liposarcoma depends on the extent of spread of the tumor and its original location. Surgery is employed when the tumor has not spread to other parts. A combination of radiation therapy and surgery may be done in certain cases.

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