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Dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the subcutis
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer, Japan.
The American Journal of Surgical Pathology
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Dedifferentiated liposarcoma, a rare soft tissue tumor, can develop in the subcutis, not just deep tissues. This case highlights its slow growth followed by rapid dedifferentiation, emphasizing surgical considerations.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Radiology
Background:
- Dedifferentiated liposarcoma is a rare malignant soft tissue neoplasm.
- Typically found in deep soft tissues, its occurrence in the subcutis is exceptionally uncommon.
- Lipomatous tumors can undergo malignant transformation over time.
Observation:
- An 82-year-old woman presented with a long-standing, slow-growing subcutaneous fatty mass.
- Recent rapid growth within the mass indicated a change in tumor characteristics.
- Imaging revealed a complex lesion with both fatty and non-fatty components.
Findings:
- Histological examination confirmed a mature lipomatous tumor with areas of dedifferentiated liposarcoma.
- The dedifferentiated component exhibited a malignant fibrous histiocytoma-like pattern.
- Atypical stromal cells were noted within the fibrous septa of the lipomatous component.
Implications:
- Dedifferentiated liposarcoma can arise in subcutaneous tissues.
- Early and appropriate surgical management is crucial for subcutaneous fatty tumors.
- This case expands the known anatomical distribution of dedifferentiated liposarcoma.