Dr. Francisco Bengoa
EN
Back to the wiki

Soft-tissue tumors

Atypical lipomatous tumor

Soft tissueIntermediate / locally aggressive or rarely metastasizingAdipocytic tumours

Epidemiology

A low-grade adipocytic tumor, common in the thigh, pelvis, or chest wall of adults. A deep, large or growing "lipoma" deserves an MRI before it is operated on: that is the first step towards suspecting this tumor, which is operated on differently and whose confirmation needs MDM2 amplification testing.

Basic features

It looks like a large or deep lipoma, but it contains thick septa, nodularity, or MDM2 amplification. The name “atypical lipomatous tumor” is used in the limbs and trunk wall, where it can be completely removed; an identical lesion in the retroperitoneum or abdomen is called well-differentiated liposarcoma and has a worse prognosis because it is harder to resect.

Usual treatment

In the limbs, pelvis, or chest wall it is usually managed with planned resection and local follow-up.

Outcomes and prognosis

In the limbs it almost never metastasizes; the main risk is local recurrence, and dedifferentiation is uncommon but must be monitored.

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.

Book an appointment