Liposarcoma is a rare form of soft tissue sarcoma that develops in the fat cells of your stomach and limbs. Treatment of liposarcoma usually involves surgery to remove the cancer. Other treatment methods, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of treatments, may also be used.
At Sarcoma Oncology Center, we offer personalized, cutting-edge treatment options for liposarcoma based on new studies, new trials, and innovative therapies. The treatment plan is specialized according to the requirements of each case.
Liposarcoma tumor forms in your belly or limb muscles. It is classified as a cancer because of its potential to recur at the tumor site and spread to other areas of the body.
Liposarcoma is a malignant tumor, meaning it can spread to vital organs and tissues surrounding the tumor. If liposarcoma is left untreated, it may turn life-threatening. Early detection and treatment of liposarcoma are critically important.
No specific genetic causes have been identified for liposarcoma and there is no visible sign of it in the initial stage. Symptoms are only visible once the tumor is large enough.
Liposarcoma affects approximately 2000 people each year in the United States. It predominantly affects men between 50 and 65 years old.
Although liposarcoma is rarely seen in children, if diagnosed, it typically occurs during adolescence.
Not all lumps are cancerous. A lipoma, a benign noncancerous fatty tumor, is much more common than liposarcoma. On average, two out of every 1,000 people develop a lipoma. These tumors typically don't cause symptoms and usually don't need to be removed.
If you find a fatty lump, your doctor evaluates it by comparing the characteristics of liposarcoma and lipoma:
At an early stage, liposarcoma typically does not exhibit any symptoms and frequently go unnoticed. It usually stays undetected until the tumor in the affected area is large enough to compress neighboring tissue. Thus causing pain or decreased function. The tumor can sometimes be detected as a deep-seated mass to touch.
Liposarcoma symptoms depend on where the tumor forms in your body.
Liposarcoma in your arms and legs may show the following symptoms:
Liposarcoma in the abdomen may have the following symptoms:
Liposarcoma, as with all other sarcomas, can also present non-specific symptoms, such as fevers, chills, fatigue, night sweats, and weight loss.
The liposarcoma forms must be distinguished not only from each other but also from other types of soft tissue tumors. This will help in a better treatment approach as each type of liposarcoma has a different growth rate.
Well-differentiated liposarcoma typically forms as a large, painless mass, often found in the abdominal cavity or limbs. It is the most common subtype of liposarcoma, making up about 40% to 45% of all liposarcoma cases.
These tumors are less aggressive than other forms of liposarcoma and typically do not spread to other parts of the body.
At Sarcoma Oncology Center, we provide advanced treatment options for well-differentiated liposarcoma, incorporating the latest research, clinical trials, and innovative therapies. Each treatment plan is personalized according to the requirements of each case.
Myxoid liposarcoma, or MLPS, is a type of liposarcoma commonly occurring in the limbs, with a high risk for recurrence in other soft tissue areas or bones. These tumors grow slowly, and they can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs and other organs.
At Sarcoma Oncology Center, we consider factors like the type and stage of your tumor, overall health, and personal preferences to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that caters to your situation.
Our multimodal approach offers evidence-based treatment options, all designed to maximize your chances of a successful outcome.
Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLS) is a high-grade sarcoma that develops from a preexisting well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLS). This subtype is more aggressive than WDLS but less aggressive than other high-grade sarcomas, where tumor cells grow and spread at a rapid pace.
DDLS typically affects middle-aged and older adults, with a slight predominance in men. Compared to other liposarcoma subtypes, DDLS has a higher likelihood of local recurrence and metastasis, posing a more significant challenge for treatment.
At Sarcoma Oncology Center, we offer cutting-edge treatment options for dedifferentiated liposarcoma, grounded in the latest research, clinical trials, and innovative therapies. Our approach ensures that every treatment plan is carefully tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient.
Pleomorphic liposarcoma is a rare and aggressive tumor that starts in fat cells. It typically develops in the deep soft tissues of the arms or legs but can also occur in the abdomen or chest. This type of liposarcoma is known to recur (come back) after treatment and can spread to other areas, including the lungs. It most commonly affects adults aged 50 to 70 and is rarely seen in children or teenagers.
Mixed-type liposarcoma is a rare and aggressive tumor that arises from fat cells in deep soft tissues. It is characterized by the presence of two or more subtypes of liposarcoma.
The exact cause of liposarcoma is still unknown. Soft tissue tumors typically form because of changes in your fat cells. A series of abnormalities in these genes, like mutations or DNA alterations, can lead to the uncontrollable growth of cancer cells.
The cancer cells will keep growing while the surrounding healthy cells will die as part of their natural life cycle. In some types of liposarcoma, the cancer cells stay put, causing the tumor to get bigger. While in other types of liposarcoma, cancer cells break away and spread to other parts of your body.
Factors that may increase your risk of developing liposarcoma may include:
Procedures and tests that your oncologist may use to diagnose liposarcoma include:
Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body, and help show the size of the liposarcoma. A CT scan may assess the location of a mass and its relationship to surrounding tissues.
An MRI can show the characteristics of the tumor, which may help determine the diagnostic differences between benign and malignant soft tissue masses.
Biopsy or removal of a tissue sample for testing is the most critical step in diagnosing liposarcoma. The sample may be removed by needle or through surgery.
The sample is then tested in a lab to identify whether the tissue is benign or malignant. The type of biopsy your doctor performs will depend on the tumor’s location.
Treatment for liposarcoma may involve a multimodal approach coupled with considerations for the uniqueness of each case. This can include factors like the tumor's grade and stage, prior cancer treatments (if any), and the disease's progress.
Treatment options can include:
The prognosis for liposarcoma can be influenced by the tumor's location. For instance, cutaneous and subcutaneous liposarcomas tend to have a better outlook compared to deep-seated liposarcomas. The survival rate also varies depending on the type of liposarcoma and whether it has spread.
Regular follow-up care helps monitor for recurrence or spread. However, it is important to remember that every liposarcoma case and patient is unique. We advise patients to consult our oncologists about their condition and for medical care decisions.
At the Sarcoma Oncology Center, we recognize that liposarcoma can be difficult to treat if patients don't respond to traditional treatment approaches. In such cases, having access to cutting-edge clinical trials or receiving approvals for 'compassionate drug use' exceptions (access to a new unapproved medical product for patients with a serious life-threatening disease) can make a world of difference.
At our office in Santa Monica, we design personalized and innovative plans for treating liposarcoma.
To schedule a consultation, please call us at 310-552-9999 or request an appointment online.
The impact of liposarcoma depends on its type and location. Liposarcomas typically develop in the arms or legs, especially in the thighs or behind the knees, but they can also form in the back of the abdomen.
Most liposarcomas grow slowly and are often painless. You may not notice any changes unless a large lump appears on your arm or leg, which doesn’t go away or grows larger. In some cases, liposarcomas can cause pain if they press on a nerve. Additionally, liposarcomas in certain organs, like the lungs, may interfere with normal function, such as making it difficult to breathe.
Liposarcoma is a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma, affecting about 1 in 100,000 people in the U.S. each year.
Liposarcoma includes various subtypes, and their behavior can differ significantly. Some subtypes, like well-differentiated liposarcoma, grow slowly; while other subtypes, such as myxoid liposarcoma or dedifferentiated liposarcoma, are more likely to spread or recur after treatment. Pleomorphic liposarcoma, on the other hand, is highly aggressive, growing rapidly and spreading quickly to other parts of the body.
Treatment for liposarcoma usually involves surgery to remove the tumor along with some surrounding healthy tissue. Like any surgical procedure, there can be potential complications.
Common complications may include:
What you may expect with liposarcoma varies by its subtype. Please consult our oncology team for personalized information. In general, you may:
