Dr. Francisco Bengoa
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Soft-tissue tumors

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma

Soft tissueMalignant / sarcomaAdipocytic tumours

Epidemiology

An adipocytic sarcoma of adults that can present as a deep mass in the limb, pelvis, or chest wall. The high-grade non-fatty component must be sought, because that area guides the biopsy and the biological risk.

Basic features

It combines an atypical fatty component with a non-fatty, higher-grade area, which determines the main risk; it usually arises from an atypical lipomatous tumor / well-differentiated liposarcoma and shares the MDM2 amplification, a finding that helps confirm the diagnosis.

Usual treatment

Oncologic resection is central; radiotherapy, systemic treatment, or clinical trials are evaluated according to location and extent.

Outcomes and prognosis

It carries a risk of local recurrence and metastasis, especially if a complete resection is not achieved, with an intermediate prognosis.

Warning signs

These signs do not necessarily mean cancer, but they warrant evaluation before operating on or needling a mass.

  • A soft-tissue mass that grows, is larger than 5 cm, or is deep.
  • Persistent, night-time or progressive bone pain, especially if it limits activity.
  • A fracture from minimal trauma, or an aggressive bone lesion on an X-ray.
  • A lump that comes back after previous surgery.
  • Neurological symptoms, rapid swelling, or pain associated with a mass.

This information is general and does not replace a medical evaluation. A musculoskeletal tumor must be interpreted together with imaging, physical examination, biopsy when appropriate and each patient's context.

Specialist evaluation

If you have a mass, a bone lesion or a report suggesting a tumor, book an evaluation.

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