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.
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.
Types of liposarcoma include the following:
Well-differentiated Liposarcoma: Typically found in the abdominal cavity or limbs, the tumor in this type of liposarcoma is a large, painless mass. This subtype of liposarcoma is less aggressive than others.
Myxoid/Round Cell Liposarcoma: This type of liposarcoma commonly occurs in the limbs, with a high risk for recurrence in other soft tissue areas or bones, such as the spine and pelvis. Myxoid or Round Cell Liposarcoma is a commonly occurring type of liposarcoma and makes up about 30% of all liposarcoma cases.
Pleomorphic Liposarcoma: A less common variant affecting the limbs, this subtype tends to be more aggressive, spreading to other body sites, such as the lungs and other soft tissue.
Mixed-Type Liposarcoma: This is a rare form of liposarcoma, combining two or more subtypes.
Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma: This type exhibits increased aggressiveness compared to well-differentiated liposarcoma. However, it is less aggressive than high-grade sarcomas, in which cancer cells grow and spread more quickly.
Studies indicate that a well-differentiated liposarcoma exhibits a recurrence rate of 50% but poses no threat of cancer cells spreading to parts other than the original tumor site.
In comparison, cases of myxoid and pleomorphic liposarcomas show a higher recurrence rate of up to 80% and a survival rate than other forms of liposarcoma.
However, it is important to remember that every liposarcoma case and patient is unique. We advise patients to consult the oncologist regarding their condition to make medical care decisions.
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:
Liposarcoma typically does not exhibit early symptoms and can potentially go unnoticed during its initial stages. 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.
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 multi-modal 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:
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.
