Treatment of Recurrent Liposarcoma in a 66 Year Old Woman: Case Report.

Abstract

Background: Liposarcoma is one of the least frequent soft tissue sarcomas that occur in middle age. It belongs to a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal malignant neoplasm, often subtle in presentation but has a wide variation in malignant behaviour.
Objective: The objective of this case report is to show that wide excision with adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy is adequate in the management of locally advanced liposarcoma.
Case report: A case of recurrent liposarcoma of the right thigh in a 66year old woman is reported. The problem started as itching on the lower aspect of the right thigh and progressed to a nodule, which gradually increased in size. She had an earlier excisional biopsy with a histological diagnosis of liposarcoma. Amputation was offered then but patient refused. The mass recurred after six months. A thorough evaluation including magnetic resonance imaging was carried out and a wide excision was done at our centre. The popliteal vessels were transected and repaired during excision. Surgery was followed up with adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Over a year later patient is without any evidence of recurrence.
Conclusion: This case shows that wide surgical excision with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy is adequate in the management of liposarcoma. It also illustrates that accidental transection of vessels during tumour surgeries can be successfully repaired primarily.

Keywords: Liposarcoma, Soft tissue sarcoma, Lipogenic tumour, Connective tissue tumour

Nigerian Medical Journal Vol. 48 (2) 2007: pp. 46-48