This is a rare type of cancer that originates in the fat cells and is estimated to be the second most common soft-tissue sarcoma. It can develop in any part of the body but commonly occur in the thigh and the abdominal cavity. Tumors that develop in the limbs can continue to grow for several months before they are detected. Liposarcoma usually affects individuals between the ages of 40 and 60 although the teenagers can also develop this cancer. There are three types of liposarcoma that include the well-differentiated liposarcoma which starts as the low-grade tumor, myxoid liposarcoma that can be intermediate to high-grade tumor and pleomorphic liposarcoma which are rare but present as high-grade tumor. The treatment accordingly also varies based on their specific biology and the risk of recurrence.
Symptoms
Most of the affected individuals do not experience any symptoms associated with this cancer. The symptoms when they do develop are based on the location and the size of the tumor. When the tumor grows large, then symptoms of pain may become evident along with the functional disturbances of the affected part of the body. Some might identify the presence of a painless lump that is slow growing. However, the tumors developing in the abdomen can continue to grow quite large before they are detected.
Diagnosis
The early detection of the sarcoma gives better a chance of a successful treatment. These tumors may be found during a routine examination or with the presence of the lump on the leg, arm or the trunk. The diagnosis of cancer is based on a physical examination, a scan and a biopsy. An X-ray is used to take images of the dense tissues inside the body, bones or the tumors and the CT scan can give a 3D image of the affected area. A biopsy involves a procedure that removes a sample of the tissue which is observed under the microscope to identify cancerous cells. The results of the biopsy and the tests can determine the extent cancer has spread and the stage which is important for the treatment plan.
Treatment
When cancer has not spread to other organs, surgery is the treatment option for primary liposarcomas. During surgery, the tumor will be removed along with the wide margin of normal tissue to prevent the tumor from returning. Most of the tumors of the limbs can be successfully removed sparing the limb although, in around 5% of the cases, amputation is the only option to completely remove cancer. Based on the subtype of the sarcoma, the treatment can also include a combination of surgery and radiation therapy to prevent the recurrence of cancer. The treatment with chemotherapy may be recommended among individuals at high risk of recurrence or if cancer has spread to other parts of the body. After treatment, affected individuals will continue to have routine follow-up of imaging tests and physical examination to detect for recurrence.
References
http://sarcomahelp.org/liposarcoma.html
http://sarcomahelp.org/liposarcoma.html
https://sarcoma.org.uk/sarcoma-types/liposarcoma-0
http://www.cancercenter.com/soft-tissue-sarcoma/types/tab/Liposarcoma/
