Primary Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma of the Axilla Arising in a Mixed, Well-differentiated and Myxoid Liposarcoma

Authors

  • Garth Seamus Campbell
  • Thomas Joseph Lawrence
  • Scott Porter
  • Luminita Rezeanu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v6i1.867

Keywords:

Liposarcoma, myxoid, upper extremity, axilla, magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

We describe a case of mixed liposarcoma of the axilla presenting as a high grade undifferentiated sarcoma with areas of well-differentiated and myxoid liposarcoma.  MRI demonstrated a lobulated, septated intermuscular mass with marked heterogeneous gadolinium enhancement.  A small focus of the tumor demonstrated fat suppressed signal more characteristic of well-differentiated liposarcoma.  Pathologic analysis following wide local excision revealed a large, high grade sarcomatous component with highly pleomorphic cells with a thin rim of well-differentiated and myxoid liposarcoma on histologic examination.  Dedifferentiated liposarcomas arising outside of the retroperitoneum are very rare, as are dedifferentiated liposarcomas arising from a histologically mixed liposarcoma.   In this regard, this case illustrates an unusual combination of tumor location and histology which, to our knowledge, has not previously been reported.

Author Biographies

Garth Seamus Campbell

Department of Radiology

Resident

Thomas Joseph Lawrence

Department of Pathology

Resident

Scott Porter

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Division Orthopaedic Oncology

Staff Surgeon

Luminita Rezeanu

Department of Pathology

Assistant Professor

 

Published

2012-01-07

Issue

Section

Musculoskeletal Radiology