[Liposarcoma--a rare primary neoplasm of the thorax]

Liposarcoma is a rare tumour localised within the thorax. It can originate from a different thoracic structures (for example: lung parenchyma, mediastinum, pleura) or thoracic wall. We present a case of a 35-year-old woman with a giant tumour of the left hemithorax, who had two weeks history of non-productive cough and progressive dyspnoea from eight months. Chest radiography showed a large, round opacity in the left hemithorax, which displaced the cardiac silhouette to the right. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a huge, heterogeneous, well-circumscribed mass in the left pleural cavity. The tumour expanded locally towards the thoracic wall and left lung, and displaced mediastinal structures to the right. There was no lymphadenopathy on the physical examination and CT scan. Abdominal ultrasonography was normal. There was no proof of tumour in the extremities and trunk. The patient underwent surgical excision of the tumour via thoracotomy, but because of tumour infiltration, part of the third rib and surrounding wall were resected. There was no evidence of lung and mediastinum involvement. The mass measured 17.5 × 18 × 10 cm and weighed 1690 g. A final diagnosis of a well-differentiated liposarcoma - sclerosing subtype - was established after histological and immunohistochemical staining. In our opinion, the liposarcoma in this case originated from the chest wall. Surgical resection was the only treatment. During six months after surgery the patient had no evidence of disease progression.