Liposarcoma is a malignant soft-tissue tumor that develops in fat, most often in the abdominal cavity or extremities (thigh or upper arm). These tumors can exist for a long time before they are discovered. The three primary subtypes of liposarcoma include well-differentiated, which are low-grade tumors that may recur locally but don’t spread, myxoid, which are more common in children, and pleomorphic, which are aggressive and highly malignant.
Patients with liposarcoma are treated at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center through the Bone & Soft Tissue Program. Continue reading to learn more about liposarcoma or visit the Bone & Soft Tissue Program homepage to learn about our expertise and treatment options for this condition.
Children with inherited diseases like Li Fraumeni syndrome are at increased risk for developing liposarcoma.
Because liposarcoma develop in tissue that is elastic and easily moved, these tumors may exist for a long time before a child is diagnosed with liposarcoma. In the abdomen, these tumors can grow quite large before they are found
Common symptoms of liposarcoma include:
In addition to a physical examination, a doctor may order the following to diagnose a liposarcoma:
After all tests are completed, doctors will be able to outline the best treatment options.
Katherine Janeway, MD, talks about caring for children with solid tumors. She is always inspired by the resilience of children with cancer, and their families.