Abstract
Liposarcoma is the second most common soft tissue sarcoma type in adults. These tumors take their origin from primitive mesenchymal cells. In abdomen they generally arise from the retroperitoneum. Here we report a case of Giant Liposarcoma of the abdomen arising from the mesentery.
Key words
giant, abdomen, liposarcoma
Case report
A 38 years old male was referred with a complaint of fullness of abdomen and vague abdominal pain. There was nothing significant in the present or past history. There was no complaint of nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia or diarrhea. On physical examination abdomen was found to be distended. There was mild abdominal tenderness. No definite lump could be palpated.
On ultrasound examination, it was found that whole of the abdomen was filled with an echogenic mass. The mass also extended into the pelvis. In addition, a well-defined hypoechoic SOL was seen in the umbilical region (Figure 1). Visualization of other organs was quite difficult. Grossly liver and gall bladder appeared normal though displaced laterally. Bilateral kidneys and spleen showed no gross abnormality. There was no evidence of free fluid. Retroperitoneal area could not be visualized.
Figure 1. a) Large echogenic mass in abdomen on US. Liver grossly normal, b) Well defined hypoechoic mass seen in the umbilical region on US.
CECT abdomen was carried out to delineate the pathology better. A large lobulated, low attenuating, fat density mass was seen to occupy most of the abdominal cavity (Figure 2). It extended into the pelvis and extrinsic impression was seen on the anterior bladder wall. Septations were seen within the mass. Bowel loops were displaced to the left and also encased at places by this mass. Within this fat density mass, another well defined heterogeneously enhancing complex lesion, was seen in the region of the mesentery (Figure 3).
Figure 2. (a-d) CECT Abdomen. Scans show a huge low attenuating lipomatous mass occupying whole of the abdomen and pelvis (arrow). Bowel is seen displaced to one side (dotted arrow). Extrinsic impression on bladder is seen (thick arrow).
Figure 3. (a-b) CECT abdomen Scans show a heterogeneously enhancing lesion, with a well-defined soft tissue component, in the region of the mesentery (arrow). Bowel is displaced to left side of the abdomen (dotted arrow).
Liver appeared normal. There was no evidence of any focal liver pathology. No IHBR dilatation was seen. GB, Pancreas, Spleen were normal. Both kidneys appeared to be normal and were noted to excrete the contrast. There was no evidence of Ascitis. CT image morphology was suggestive of a large abdominal Lipomatous Tumor, mesentery being the probable site of origin.
FNAC under US guidance was inconclusive. CT guided FNAC of the mesenteric soft tissue mass showed only fresh blood and small clumps of fat cells. No inflammatory cells were seen. No malignant cells were seen.
Patient was taken up for surgery. Histopathology report was that of a Liposarcoma with mixed histological pattern.
Discussion
Liposarcoma are the second most common sarcoma in adult next to Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma. They comprise of 20% of all malignant soft tissue tumors. Liposarcoma are classified as-well differentiated, myxoid, pleomorphic, round cell and dedifferentiated tumors. There are also mixed forms which are a combination of multiple histological types. Overall, liposarcoma is very rare accounting for 0.2–0.3% of all malignancies [1,2].
Liposarcoma is a tumor of adults with a peak incidence between the age of 50-65 years. The commonest site, 56%, for liposarcoma is popliteal fossa and thigh. 15-20% are located in retroperitoneum [3,4]. Liposarcoma arising from the mesentery is rare.
Liposarcoma grows slowly and in a silent manner [5]. As a result, the patient’s history is not very reliable about the clinical duration of the mass. Patient with abdominal liposarcoma report to the hospital only when the tumor has grown to a considerable size and causes problems like compression of bowel, tenderness and heaviness of the abdomen [6,7]. This results into late diagnosis. Diffuse and gradual abdominal enlargement is seen. Weight loss, despite of increasing abdominal girth, is a prominent feature. The patient appears emaciated with a large abdomen.
Imaging modalities plays a role in evaluating the mass [8-10]. Ultrasound helps in confirmation of the mass when doubt exists. CT, in addition to the preoperative evaluation of the tumor provides detailed morphological information about this low attenuating lipomatous tumor. Nodularity, irregular margins, area of enhancement and necrosis within the mass are suggestive of liposarcoma.
The treatment of choice for abdominal liposarcoma is surgical resection, as either radiotherapy or chemotherapy has not proved beneficial in increasing the long-term survival of the patient [11,12]. As this tumor has high rate of recurrence and poor prognosis due to uncontrolled local growth within abdominal cavity, an aggressive surgical management is advised. Follow up imaging scans are advised to detect recurrence at the earliest.
Conflict of interest
Nil
Funding
Nil
References
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