Focal divergent chondrosarcomatous differentiation in a primary pleomorphic liposarcoma and expression of...

A rare case of primary pleomorphic liposarcoma of the thigh with a myxoid component, in which divergent differentiation to a well-differentiated chondrosarcoma was focally present, is described. Presence of heterologous elements has mainly been recognized in the context of dedifferentiated liposarcomas. Few cases of benign mesenchymal tissue have also been reported in well-differentiated and myxoid liposarcomas, while divergent sarcomatous differentiation in liposarcomas appears to be also rare in the absence of dedifferentiation. Positive immunostaining of transforming growth factor-beta, which seems to play a role in the formation of bone and cartilage, was demonstrated in our case. Review of the existing literature on the subject has been carried out.