ADVANCED LYPOSARCOMA MYXOIDES OF THE EXTREMITY

Abstract

Sarcomas are soft tissue tumors arising from primitive mesenchyme. Small incidence (4-5/100 000 in Europe) is the reason their pathogenesis is relatively unknown. Patient (38) complained of a growth on the upper part of right thigh, the size of a child’s head. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was done and tumefaction was described: oval shape, 13.5 x 7.5 x 11cm in diameter, without infiltration of surrounding tissue. The tumor was surgically removed and was pathohistologically verified as low grade liposarcoma myxoides. After initial presentation the patient presented a series of recurrences and metastases in the abdominal wall, extremities and  liver. Soft tissue metastasis from the lower extremities to the liver occur in 0.5% of cases and they are usually small and multiple, as in the presented patient. The European Sarcoma Medical Oncologist’s guide recommends that every  extremity tumor larger than 5cm and suspicious of malignancy should be evaluated using biopsy and imaging methods. A biopsy should be done before excision under ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT) guidance with the goal of planning the best therapy protocol and prevention of a generalized disease with metastases. The recommended imaging method is an MRI scan, although sarcomas can have a benign presentation.  Standard therapy includes surgical resection with local radiotherapy.  Liposarcoma myxoides, a rare soft tissue tumor, demands biopsy and complete surgical removal with detailed and continuous postoperative imaging follow-up and oncological therapy. The therapeutic goal is to increase survival and preserve extremity function.