Round Cell Liposarcoma

Round Cell Liposarcoma is a malignant, or cancerous, soft-tissue sarcoma that most commonly occurs in the deep tissues of the thigh, or other extremities. It is fairly aggressive and has a greater potential for metastasis.



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What is Round Cell Liposarcoma?

Round cell liposarcoma is a malignant (cancerous) and aggressive soft-tissue sarcoma. It is fairly similar to a myxoid liposarcoma, and it is believed that myxoid liposarcomas can transgress into round cell liposarcomas. Additionally, round cell liposarcomas appear similar to a myxoid liposarcoma with the exception that myxoid stroma is not present in round cell liposarcomas. Round cell liposarcomas most commonly occur in the soft tissues of the upper and lower extremities, and without effective treatment, may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body

Causes
Causes
  • • Aside from the uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells to create a fatty mass, there is no known cause.
Biological Behavior
Biological Behavior
  • • Round cell liposarcoma appears similar to a myxoid liposarcoma except that myxoid stroma is not present.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and Symptoms
  • • Most patients present with an enlarging, painless, and mobile mass.
  • • About 30% of patients may have dull aching pain or tenderness.

 

Who is usually affected?
Who is usually affected?
  • • The majority of cases occur between the ages of 50-70. Rarely occurs in children.
  • • Slightly more common in males and most frequent in the Caucasian population.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
  • • The work-up for round cell liposarcoma often consists of a physical examination, X-ray, MRI, CT, and bone scans. Also, a bone scan, CT PET scan, and CT chest/abdomen/pelvis may be ordered to check if the tumor has spread, or metastasized, to the chest/abdomen/ pelvis or other parts of the body. The diagnosis is often confirmed with a biopsy, which samples the tumor for further analysis.
Common Sites Involved
Common Sites Involved
  • • Lower extremities- the thigh is the most common site.
  • • Upper extremities
  • • Retroperitoneum
  • • Head/neck region
  • • Can metastasize to lungs, liver, lymph nodes and other bones.

 

Risk to your limbs

Round cell liposarcoma is a malignant sarcoma that has risks of recurrence and metastasis. Similar to all soft-tissue sarcomas, round cell liposarcomas grow in the soft-tissues of the extremities and compromise or destroy the affected soft-tissue and muscles. These tumors can compress or stretch important vessels and nerves, and occasionally wrap around these structures making it difficult to remove the mass without an amputation. They also have the potential to invade adjacent bones. Without treatment, liposarcoma can metastasize or spread throughout the body, with the lungs, liver, and bones being the most common sites.

Radiographic imaging is used to help form a diagnosis. These include X-Ray, MRI, CT and Bone Scans

An example of an MRI is shown.

Treatment of Round Cell Liposarcoma

The treatment of round cell liposarcoma is very similar to the treatment of myxoid liposarcoma. The treatment includes surgical excision through wide or radical resections. Limb-sparing surgery is performed whenever possible, however if the tumor compresses, stretches, or is wrapped around vital nerves and vessels then an amputation may be performed. Additionally, radiation and/or chemotherapy may be administered to treat round cell liposarcoma.

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Myself and my amazing team are dedicated to saving your life and your limb. Losing a limb because of a tumor can be a terrifying experience. But, it does not have to be the only option. I’ve spent 20+ years as a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Orthopedic Oncologist.

I’ve devoted my career to helping children and adults afflicted with bone and soft tissue masses by performing complex limb saving surgeries. Most patients can have their limb saved, which may require innovative techniques.

Patients afflicted with musculoskeletal tumors have complex conditions that are best taken care of at large hospitals. I am the Chairman of Orthopedics and Chief of Orthopedic Oncology at Morristown Medical Center. My philosophy is a multidisciplinary team approach, working together to tailor treatment to individual patients. Education and research are essential to my practice, providing the best setting for extraordinary patient care. Because of this, we have some of the top results in the country.