Liposarcoma

What is liposarcoma?

• Liposarcoma is a type of cancer. Cancer is a condition when cells grow and divide without control or order, often making a tumor (lump). A liposarcoma is a tumor made mostly of fat cells. The tumor may also have other cell types such as those found in your bone, cartilage, and other tissue. Liposarcoma is most commonly found in your legs and thighs. Tumors may also be found in your retroperitoneum (space behind your abdominal organs), arms, chest, and neck. Liposarcomas rarely grow in other areas of your body. Liposarcoma most commonly occurs in people between the ages of 50 to 70.
  
  
• Liposarcoma may be a low grade or high grade tumor. A low grade tumor is usually slow growing, and does not spread to other areas of your body. A high grade tumor is usually larger in size, and often spreads to other areas in your body. High grade tumors are harder to treat, and may have already spread by the time you visit your caregiver. Liposarcomas that are found and treated before they spread have a better chance of being cured. Treatment may relieve any pain and problems moving your limbs (arms and legs) caused by your tumor.

What causes liposarcoma?

The exact cause of liposarcoma is unclear. Caregivers believe it may be caused by damaged genes. Genes are little pieces of information that tell your body what to do or make. Liposarcomas may more commonly occur in an area of your body that has been injured. You may also have a higher risk for liposarcoma if you had radiation treatment in the past.

What are the different types of liposarcoma?

The type of liposarcoma that you have will depend on the kind of cells that make up your tumor. Your liposarcoma may be any of the following:

• Well-differentiated: Well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLS) is the most common type of liposarcoma. WDLS is made up of mature (fully grown) fat cells. This type of liposarcoma does not usually spread to other areas. WDLS is most often found in the deep tissue of your legs, and thighs. It may also be found in your retroperitoneum or arms.
  
  
• Myxoid:
  
  
  • Myxoid is the second most common type of liposarcoma. Myxoid cells look like jelly and have a large amount of water in them. Myxoid liposarcomas are often low grade and are commonly found in the leg muscles. Myxoid tumors that spread commonly spread to areas outside your lungs. These areas include the tissues covering your lungs and heart.
    
    
  • Round cell liposarcomas are another type of myxoid tumor. Round cell tumors are high grade and more likely to spread to other areas of your body.
  
  
• Dedifferentiated: This kind of liposarcoma is made up of both a fatty tumor and a non-fatty tumor. The fatty part of the tumor is a WDLS. The non-fatty part of the tumor is made up of cells found in bone, muscles, or skin tissue. Dedifferentiated liposarcomas are normally found in the retroperitoneum and are high grade tumors. If the tumor is removed, it almost always grows back. This type of liposarcoma may spread to other areas such as your lungs, liver, or bones.
  
  
• Pleomorphic: Pleomorphic liposarcomas are rare tumors. They have very little or no fat in them, and are high grade tumors. Pleomorphic liposarcomas are commonly found in your leg muscles. These tumors are very hard to treat and often return. Pleomorphic tumors often spread to your lungs, liver, brain, and bone.
  
  
• Mixed: A mixed liposarcoma is a tumor made up of more than one type of liposarcoma. This tumor most often grows in the retroperitoneum and the abdomen (stomach).

What are the signs and symptoms of liposarcoma?

Liposarcomas are usually painless, slow growing tumors. As the tumor grows, you may be able to see or feel it under your skin. If your tumor grows and presses on your nerves and blood vessels, you may feel pain. Depending on where your tumor is you may have any of the following:

• Decreased movement in the limb that has the tumor.
  
  
• Pain and swelling in the area of your tumor.
  
  
• Chest pain.
  
  
• Constipation (hard, dry stools), and diarrhea (loose, watery stools). You may also have pain when having a bowel movement (BM), or see blood in your stools.
  
  
• Trouble urinating or pain while urinating.
  
  
• Trouble swallowing and voice changes.
  
  
• Trouble breathing and coughing.
  
  
• Weight loss.

How is liposarcoma diagnosed?

Your caregiver will ask about your symptoms and medical history. He will do a complete physical exam. He may feel the area of your tumor to check if it is hard or soft. You may also need any of the following tests:

• Biopsy: During a biopsy, your caregiver will remove a piece of tissue from your tumor. He may use a needle or a special tool to take the tissue sample. If a large sample is needed, your caregiver may need to make an incision (cut). The tissue sample will be sent to a lab for testing. The lab test will show if your tumor is a liposarcoma and what type it is.
  
  
• Computerized tomography scan: This is also called a CT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your tumor. The scan will also check for other problems and abnormal tissue changes. Pictures of your lungs and other organs may be taken to check if the cancer has spread.
  
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging: This test is also called an MRI. During the MRI, pictures are taken of your tumor and the area around it. An MRI may be used to look at the organs, blood vessels, nerves, and bones around your tumor. An MRI may also help your caregiver learn what type of tumor you have.
  
  
• Positron emission tomography scan: This is also called a PET scan. Your caregiver may use this test to see if you have cancer, and if it has spread. A special dye is injected into your vein (blood vessel). This dye helps make a picture that shows how your cells are working. People who are allergic to shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to this dye. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish.
  
  
• X-ray: This machine is used to take a picture of your tumor and the area around it. These pictures may show if the tumor has damaged your bones. Your caregiver may also take an x-ray of your lungs to check if the cancer has spread.

How is liposarcoma treated?

The goal of treatment is to remove the cancer from your body. Your caregiver may use any of the following:

• Surgery: You may need surgery to remove your tumor. The bones and tissues around your tumor may also need to be removed. A graft may be used to replace the bone or tissue that was removed. A graft is a piece of tissue from another area of your body. The graft may also come from a donor (another person). In some cases, your caregiver may need to amputate (remove) your limb to remove your tumor. A prosthesis (man-made part) may be used to replace your missing limb. Ask your caregiver for more information about surgery and amputation.
  
  
• Chemotherapy: This medicine, often called chemo, is used to treat cancer. It works by killing tumor cells. Your caregiver may use chemo to make your tumor smaller before surgery. Your caregiver may also give you chemo after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
  
  
• Radiation: Radiation is a cancer treatment using x-rays or gamma rays. Radiation works to kill cancer cells and prevent the cancer from spreading. Radiation may also help stop your cancer from coming back after surgery. You may need radiation before, during, or after surgery.

Where can I find support and more information?

Having liposarcoma is a life-changing disease for you and your family. Accepting that you have cancer is hard. You and those close to you may feel angry, sad, or frightened. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a support group. This is a group of people who also have liposarcoma. Contact the following for more information:

• American Cancer Society
  250 Williams Street
  Atlanta , GA 30303
  Phone: 1- 800 - 227-2345
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.org
  

• Cancer Information Service
  Cancer Information Service
  Phone: 1- 800 - 422-6237
  Web Address: http://www.nci.nih.gov
  

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

• You are having trouble swallowing.
  
  
• You see or feel any new lumps in your body.
  
  
• You feel new pain in the area of your tumor.
  
  
• You are unable to have a BM.
  
  
• You think or know you are pregnant.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You have chest pain and trouble breathing.
  
  
• You have no feeling in or near the area where your liposarcoma is.
  
  
• You are unable to move the part of your body where your tumor is.
  
  
• You see blood in your stools.
  
  
• You vomit blood.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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