Lipoblastoma: clinical features, treatment, and outcome

Lipoblastoma is a rare, benign, encapsulated tumor arising from embryonic white fat. On histology they typically contain variably differentiated adipocytes, primitive mesenchymal cells, myxoid matrix, and fibrous trabeculae. The tumor occurs primarily in infancy and early childhood. It often occurs in the extremities and trunk, and rarely develops in the head and neck and other sites.

Ten cases of histopathologically proven lipoblastoma presenting to our hospital during a 6-year period (2003-2008) were reviewed retrospectively for their clinical presentations, treatment, postoperative outcome, and follow-up.

There were five males and five females ranging in age from 6 months to 20 years. The commonest presentation was a painless rapidly growing mass. Tumors occurred in an extremity (n = 5), head and neck (n = 3), trunk (n = 1), and retroperitoneum (n = 1). Preoperative diagnosis was accurate in only one case. The largest tumor measuring 25-cm x 20-cm x 7-cm and weighing 1.9 kg was excised from the retroperitoneum. All patients underwent complete surgical excision. Patient follow-up period ranging from 9 to 76 months showed no recurrences and no metastases.

Lipoblastoma behaves benignly, occurs in both superficial and deep sites, and occasionally attains large size. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice and long-term follow-up is required because there is a reported tendency for these tumors to recur.