Sarcopedia

MalignantSoft tissue

Pleomorphic Liposarcoma

Synonyms: High-grade liposarcoma variant

Highest-grade liposarcoma variant

Quick Facts

Behaviour

Malignant

Category

Soft tissue

Grade

High

Synonyms

High-grade liposarcoma variant

Category

Soft tissue

Behaviour

Malignant

Grade

High

Gender

M = F

Tissue of Origin

Adipose

Epidemiology

  • Rare High-grade liposarcoma variant
  • Peak incidence in middle-aged adults
  • Lower extremity predominance

Clinical Features

  • Large, rapidly growing mass
  • Often presents with advanced disease

Location

  • Lower extremity
  • Retroperitoneum

Imaging

  • MRI: heterogeneous High-grade appearance
  • Minimal lipid content - mostly solid

Pathology

  • Pleomorphic lipoblasts and undifferentiated sarcoma
  • High mitotic rate, extensive necrosis
  • Liposarcoma grade 3 (Highest)

Genetics

  • Complex karyotype
  • FUS, MDM2 may be present

Treatment

  • Wide surgical excision
  • Chemotherapy indicated

Prognosis

Poor - High-grade malignancy with metastatic potential

Key Points

  • Highest-grade liposarcoma variant
  • Aggressive behaviour - multimodal therapy required

Workup - Blood Tests

FBC, U&E, LFTs, LDH - baseline

Workup - Local Imaging

  • MRI primary site - local staging
  • CT chest/abdomen/pelvis - metastatic staging

Workup - Biopsy

Core needle biopsy - confirm diagnosis

Workup - Staging

CT chest/abdomen/pelvis - metastases

Follow-up Summary

  1. 1

    Year 1

    Post-operative at 6 weeks; 3–4 monthly clinical examination and CXR

  2. 2

    Year 2

    3–4 monthly clinical examination and CXR

  3. 3

    Years 3–4

    6-monthly clinical examination and CXR

  4. 4

    Years 5–10

    Annual clinical examination and CXR

  5. 5

    Discharge at 10 years after surgery

Medical disclaimer

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