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Types of liposarcoma

There are four different types of liposarcoma.

Well-differentiated liposarcoma

Well-differentiated liposarcoma is the most common type of liposarcoma. Well-differentiated cells look more like normal cells. These are usually low-grade, slow-growing tumors that are often not aggressive. Symptoms of well-differentiated liposarcoma may not show up for years. So, it¡¯s possible to have this disease for years without knowing it. They are sometimes found incidentally when patients get imaging done for other reasons.

Myxoid liposarcoma

Myxoid liposarcoma is the second most common type of liposarcoma. It accounts for 30% to 40% of liposarcoma diagnoses. The cells produce a myxoid (or mucus-like) substance that fills most of the cells. These tumors usually grow slowly. Sometimes, it¡¯s described as myxoid/round cell liposarcoma. This refers to tumors with a component that contains more cells, called round cells. Tumors with a round cell component tend to grow fast and behave more aggressively.

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma

Well-differentiated liposarcoma can sometimes transform into dedifferentiated liposarcoma. In these cases, some parts of the tumor become less like the original tissue and more abnormal. However, not all are due to transformation. Some tumors develop already dedifferentiated. Dedifferentiated liposarcoma is high-grade. Tumors grow quickly and the cancer is aggressive.

Pleomorphic liposarcoma

Pleomorphic liposarcoma is the most aggressive type of liposarcoma. These tumors look irregular and varied in size. About 30% to 50% of cases metastasize, or spread to other organs.

Symptoms of liposarcoma

The symptoms of liposarcoma depend on the part of the body the cancer affects. Most liposarcomas are located in the arms, legs and abdomen. Some people with slow-growing tumors can go years without having any symptoms.

Liposarcoma symptoms affecting the arms and legs

• A growing painless lump
• Pain in the arm or leg
• Swelling
• Weakness in the arm or leg

Liposarcoma symptoms affecting the abdomen

Liposarcoma that develops in the retroperitoneum (the space in the back of the abdomen) may not have symptoms until the tumor grows and presses on organs. When this happens, symptoms can include:

• Bloating or swelling in the belly
• Constipation
• Blood in stool
• Unintentional weight loss
• Early satiety, or feeling full very soon after eating
• Back pain
• Swelling in the groin

How is liposarcoma diagnosed?

When you visit your doctor with liposarcoma symptoms, your doctor will usually order a CT scan or MRI. These imaging tests will show your doctor where the tumor is and what nearby structures, if any, are affected. If there¡¯s a lump on your arm or leg, you may get an ultrasound first. Then, if they identify a fatty tumor, you will need a biopsy to see if it¡¯s cancerous.

If the tumor is cancerous, we¡¯ll often do next-generation sequencing to learn more about the tumor¡¯s genetic characteristics. This helps us identify the specific type of liposarcoma and develop the best treatment plan.

How liposarcoma is treated

Liposarcoma treatment is unique to each patient. Your treatment will depend on several factors, including the type of liposarcoma you have, if the cancer has spread and how far, and the tumor¡¯s characteristics.

Your treatment will typically include one or a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Surgery is done to remove all of the tumor, when possible. Sometimes chemotherapy and/or radiation will be given before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to help kill any remaining cancer cells. 

Myxoid liposarcoma responds well to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Dedifferentiated liposarcoma is less sensitive to chemotherapy.

MD Anderson has several clinical trials that are testing new and better ways to treat liposarcoma. Ask your doctor if you are eligible for any clinical trials.

Is liposarcoma curable?

Liposarcoma is potentially curable if it is caught at an early stage and can be removed completely with surgery. Complete surgical removal of the tumor with clear margins is critical for positive results.

What¡¯s the prognosis for people with liposarcoma?

There are several types of liposarcoma, each with their own distinct characteristics. Prognosis depends on the type of liposarcoma you have and the location of the tumor. Tumors in the arms and legs tend to have a better prognosis than tumors in the retroperitoneum. The prognosis for advanced stage liposarcoma is less favorable.

In general:

• Well-differentiated liposarcoma has a good prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate higher than 95%. However, local recurrences are common. This is when cancer comes back in the same place that it was originally.
• Myxoid liposarcoma has around a 92% 5-year survival rate if the tumor is small and has not spread.
• Dedifferentiated liposarcoma has around a 70% 5-year survival rate if it is on the arm or leg and has not spread. If it recurs or is metastatic, the 5-year survival rate can drop to 20% to 52%.
• Pleomorphic liposarcoma has a poor prognosis if it recurs or spreads to other parts of the body.

Remember that survival rates are just estimates. Every patient¡¯s diagnosis is unique, so it¡¯s best to speak to your doctor about your specific diagnosis.

Where you go for liposarcoma treatment matters

When you¡¯re diagnosed with a rare cancer, it¡¯s important to go to the experts for treatment. Liposarcoma is a rare type of cancer, but it¡¯s not rare to us at MD Anderson.

Sarcoma patients have better results when they are treated at large comprehensive cancer centers with doctors who have experience with the disease.

MD Anderson has a team of medical professionals who specialize in treating all types of soft tissue sarcoma. And we¡¯re always researching to find better treatments to help more patients.

, is a sarcoma medical oncologist at MD Anderson.

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