A Rare Case of Dedifferentiated Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma Presenting As Cardiac-Sounding Chest Pain

Retroperitoneal liposarcomas (RPL) are rare mesenchymal tumours with an annual incidence of 2.7 cases per million. Well-differentiated liposarcomas (WDLs) and dedifferentiated liposarcomas (DDLs) are the most common subtype. WDLs are widely known to be low-grade tumours that are less likely to metastasise and easily resected. In contrast, DDLs are high-grade aggressive metastatic tumours with mortality rates between 50% and 70%. We present an unusual case of a 47-year-old male with a background of hypertension presenting with cardiac-sounding chest pain. Initially managed as an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), he eventually underwent a CT scan which revealed a 20x18x17cm retroperitoneal complex mass with possible infiltrates to the posterior wall of the greater curvature of the stomach. Ultrasound-guided biopsy and subsequent histopathology analysis revealed DDL consistent with MDM2 amplification. This case highlights how RPL can present with diagnostic difficulties. Multidisciplinary input from haematology, surgery and specialist teams is vital to optimise patient management.