Dr. Francisco Bengoa
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Soft-tissue tumors

Liposarcoma

Soft tissueMalignant / sarcomaAdipocytic tumours

Epidemiology

One of the most common soft-tissue sarcomas in adults, especially after age 50. The workup must distinguish a liposarcoma from a deep lipoma, especially when the mass is large, deep, or has thick septa on MRI.

Basic features

It usually appears as a deep mass in the thigh, buttock, pelvis, or chest wall; the subtype defines how aggressive it is.

Usual treatment

Planned surgery with margins, often combined with radiotherapy in the limbs; systemic therapy in advanced cases or selected subtypes.

Outcomes and prognosis

The outlook depends mainly on the subtype: the atypical lipomatous / well-differentiated tumor almost never metastasizes and the myxoid type has a good prognosis, while the dedifferentiated and pleomorphic subtypes are more aggressive and carry a more guarded prognosis. Deep, large, or dedifferentiated lesions have a higher risk of recurrence.

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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