Giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma: A case report and literature review

Giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma with multiple organ involvement: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPLPS) is a relatively rare disease. Liposarcomas vary in size, but sizeable RPLPS larger than 30 cm in diameter are very rare, and their diagnosis and treatment present significant challenges.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a 58-year-old male patient who was admitted to the hospital with an increased abdominal circumference and was later diagnosed with a giant RPLPS. The liposarcoma was found to adhere to the right kidney and the entire ureter, invading the ascending colon. The patient underwent complete combined surgical resection. The tumor was removed intact, measured 55.0 cm × 30.0 cm × 18.0 cm, and weighed 19.8 kg. Histopathologic analysis revealed well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLPS). The patient was successfully discharged from the hospital and followed up for 6 months with no signs of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

RPLPS is a rare tumor with atypical clinical presentation. Surgery remains the most effective method of treatment for retroperitoneal sarcomas, with complete removal if there is local invasion. Preoperative examination, including three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction, is essential for surgical success. The role of adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy remains controversial. However, clinicians should not rule them out as viable options.

A giant liposarcoma originating from peripancreatic fat tissue with identification using 3D-CT angiography: a case report

BACKGROUND

Liposarcoma originating from peripancreatic fat tissue is extremely rare. This case report presents a surgical case of a giant liposarcoma originating from peripancreatic fat tissue with origin identification using 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography Angiography (3D-CTA).

CASE PRESENTATION

A 59-year-old female was referred to our hospital with a giant abdominal tumor. Computed tomography revealed a 34 cm tumor composed of fatty tissue, exerting pressure on the posterior aspect of the pancreas. Suspecting liposarcoma, we planned for surgery. At first, the tumor appeared to be intra-abdominal tumor, based on the identification of the tumor's feeding artery as a branch of the dorsal pancreatic artery using 3D-CTA, we concluded that the liposarcoma originated from the peripancreatic fat tissue and situated in the retroperitoneum. During surgery, we observed a well-capsulated, elastic, yellowish mass without infiltration into surrounding tissues. We carefully dissected the tumor from the greater omentum and transverse mesocolon while preserving the tumor capsule. We ligated the feeding artery at the border with the pancreatic parenchyma and successfully completed the excision of the tumor. The resected specimen weighted 2620 g and was pathologically diagnosed as a well-differentiated liposarcoma. There was no injury to the tumor's capsule, and the surgical margins were negative.

CONCLUSIONS

In this report, we present an extremely rare case of a liposarcoma originating in the peripancreatic fat tissue. The use of 3D-CTA was instrumental in identifying the primary site of this giant tumor, enabling us to guide the surgery and achieve complete resection successfully.

Surgical approach for complete resection of giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma with diaphragmatic hernia via ninth rib thoracotomy

Background

Resection of a giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma is difficult and technically demanding, especially for large retroperitoneal tumors accompanied by a diaphragmatic hernia. Technically, the open abdominal approach can be time-consuming and difficult to perform, with possible intraoperative complications and other factors bringing psychological and physical difficulties to the patient. This study reports a safe and feasible approach for the complete resection of a large retroperitoneal tumor complicated by a diaphragmatic hernia.

Methods

A 58-year-old male patient with persistent upper abdominal pain and distension was treated at a local hospital on 4 July 2022. Computed tomography showed a mixed-density mass on the right retroperitoneum, and liposarcoma was considered. On 6 July 2022, the patient was transferred to our hospital for further treatment. Computed tomography showed a mass with low-density fatty shadow in the right adrenal region. The boundary with the right adrenal gland was unclear. The mass was 102 mm × 74 mm, and the right lobe of the liver was compressed. Insufficiency of the right middle lobe of the liver was seen due to a right diaphragmatic hernia and left mediastinal deviation. We considered the traditional approach for tumor resection via laparotomy, but we opted to perform a comprehensive evaluation first. The tumor was close to the back of the right kidney and liver, causing the diaphragm to rise because of its proximity to these organs. Exposing the tumor through laparotomy would be difficult, making it challenging to remove. The patient had a diaphragmatic hernia and moderate pulmonary dysfunction; therefore, we decided to enter the abdomen through a thoracotomy of the ninth rib.

Results

Using our technique, the tumor was easily visualized and completely removed in approximately 30 min. The intraoperative blood loss was 100 ml, and no postoperative bleeding, pneumothorax, intestinal fistula, infection, or other complications occurred.

Conclusion

The transthoracic approach may be a safer and more feasible resection method than the traditional open approach for patients with giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma with a diaphragmatic hernia.

Survival of a patient with multiple-recurrent giant retroperitoneal dedifferentiated liposarcoma for 15 years: A case report

Background

Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPLS) is a variety of soft tissue sarcoma that originates from mesenchymal cells. A tumor measuring greater than 30 cm is called a “giant liposarcoma.” A part of the neoplasm tends to grow in size, recur locally, or metastasize distantly. In those with such a condition, long-term survival is uncommon. Therefore, it is necessary to present a uniform and optimized program to improve the prognosis.

Methods

By successfully treating a multiple-recurrent giant retroperitoneal dedifferentiated liposarcoma (RP DDLPS) in July 2010, we hope to devise more comprehensive strategies to improve diagnosis, therapy, and outcome.

Results

In July 2010, we thoroughly resected a giant multifocal RPLS with a concomitant part of the gastric wall. The histopathological examination revealed a high-grade (grade III) dedifferentiated liposarcoma. The patient was discharged uneventfully on the 15th postoperative day. She relapsed after 16 months and needed another complete excision. After 9 months, she died after the fourth recidive. The patient had experienced four recurrences and underwent operations with 15 years of follow-up.

Conclusions

The above demonstrates that we were able to successfully treat the multirecurrent giant RPLS, despite the patient’s poor medical condition, with meticulous management. Moreover, this indicates that long-term survival could be achieved for high-grade RP DDLPS.

Giant Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma: Correlation Between Size and Risk for Recurrence

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are rare tumors that represent almost 1% of adult malignant tumors. The annual incidence rate for such tumors is 2 - 5/100,000 population. The most common type of STS in adults is liposarcoma, which represents 15-20% of adult STSs. It is of mesodermic origin derived from adipose tissues, and known as the most common primary malignant tumor of the retroperitoneum. Other sites of involvement include the extremities, trunk and to a lesser extent the pleural cavity, esophagus, mediastinum and others. Due to the potential large retroperitoneal space, retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPL) is usually asymptomatic during the initial phase, developing symptoms at a late stage due to large mass compressing nearby retroperitoneal structures. The average diameter and weight of RPL during diagnosis is 20 - 25 cm and 15 - 20 kg, respectively. Several factors were labelled as risk factors for recurrence, such as histological type, tumor grade, age, resectability and tumor size. Controversy exists regarding the relationship between tumor size and recurrence rate, thus, tumor size as a risk factor for recurrence should be clarified. Although there is no consensus regarding the precise definition of giant RPL, it is defined by several literatures as an RPL of greater than 30 cm in diameter or with weight of more than 20 kg. The main purpose of this article is to review the current English literature regarding giant RPL and examine the relationship between tumor size and risk for recurrence.

Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma: The Giant Type

Retroperitoneal tumors (RPTs) are very rare tumors that arise in the large space of the retroperitoneum. About two-third of these tumors are malignant, of which soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is the most common and comprises almost one-third of malignant RPTs. Twenty to thirty percent of RPTs are benign. The retroperitoneal cavity has a very large potential space for tumor enlargement to a very high diameters without causing specific symptoms, especially during the initial phase of tumor enlargement. On diagnosis, the average tumor weight is 15 - 20 kg and tumor diameter is 20 - 25 cm. The most common retroperitoneal sarcoma type is liposarcoma, which account for 20% of all sarcoma types and 40% of all retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPSs). Other less common STS arise in the retroperitoneum include leiomyosarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic type. Giant liposarcoma is usually defined either as tumor diameter of 30 cm or more or tumor weight of 20 kg or higher. This specific type of sarcoma is very uncommon, with few case reports published in the English literature. Herein, we present a case of a healthy 33-year-old male patient, who was admitted due to abdominal distension and increased body weight since few months. An abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a giant retroperitoneal mass of almost 40 cm in diameter in its largest dimension, located in the right retroperitoneal space. Ultrasound (US)-guided fine needle biopsy (FNB) was consistent with well differentiated liposarcoma. Surgical resection of the tumor along with the right colon, right ureter and kidney, third and fourth duodenal parts and part of the right iliopsoas muscle was contemplated. Histopathological report revealed well-differentiated liposarcoma of 50 cm in diameter, with foci of dedifferentiation, presented by pleomorphic sarcoma. Surgical margins were microscopically negative.

A systematic review of margin status in retroperitoneal liposarcomas: Does the R0 margin matter?

Retroperitoneal liposarcomas (RPLPSs) are a rare tumor group for which current guidelines recommend aggressive en bloc resection to attain microscopically negative (R0) margins. To ensure R0 margins, resection of adherent or adjacent organs is often required. However, it is still unclear if R0 margins confer any additional benefit to patients over a grossly negative but microscopically positive (R1) margin. We performed a systematic search of PubMed and Embase databases for studies including patients receiving R0 or R1 resection for RPLPS. Nine retrospective cohort studies, one prospective cohort study, and 49 case reports/case series were included. A total of 552 patients with RPLPS were evaluated: 346 underwent R0 resection and 206 underwent R1 resection. In the R0 group, 5-year overall survival (OS) ranged from 58.3% to 85.7%; local recurrence (LR) ranged from 45.5% to 52.3%. In the R1 group, 5-year OS ranged from 35% to 55.3%; LR ranged from 66.7% to 91.7%. Among cohort studies, OS, disease-free survival (DFS), LR rate, and LR-free survival (LRFS) were significantly associated with R0 resections. Assessment of case series and reports suggested that the R0 margin led to a slightly higher morbidity than that of R1. In conclusion, this review found the R0 margin to be associated with reductions in LR rates and improved OS when compared with the R1 margins, though accompanied by slight increases in morbidity. The roles of tumor histotype and perioperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy were not well-elucidated in this review.

Primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma: a rare case report

Primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma (PRPLS) is a rare malignant tumor with a low incidence. A 34-year-old female patient presented to our department with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting for 2 days. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) indicated a huge mass between the liver and kidney, with a clear boundary and measuring approximately 202 mm × 155 mm ×106 mm. The mass was considered a retroperitoneal lipoma or liposarcoma. The entire tumor was completely resected without auxiliary injury, and histopathology of the resected specimen indicated liposarcoma. The patient recovered well and was discharged from our department on the 6th postoperative day. No signs of relapse were seen during 1-year of follow-up. PRPLS is rare and without obvious symptoms in the early stage. CT plays a vital role in the diagnosis of PRPLS, and surgical resection is considered the most suitable treatment. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy might also be treatment options to improve the overall survival of PRPLS patients.

Retroperitoneal lipoma, a rare cause of pelvic mass in women

Background:

Lipoma is a benign mesenchymal tumor of soft tissue that occurs in almost all parts of the body where fat normally exists. Retroperitoneal lipomas are very infrequent condition with about 20 cases represented in the literature since 1980. They usually present as an abdominal mass or with pressure symptoms to adjacent organs.

Case Presentation:

A 66-year-old, post-menopausal woman referred to Imam Hossein Medical Center due to abdominal pain. Abdominopelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large mass containing fat component without enhancement on the right side of the pelvis. Tumor markers were within normal ranges. The patient underwent laparotomy and a 12 cm retroperitoneal mass which was located on the iliopsoas muscle with extension into the inguinal canal was resected with pathology report of lipoma. There has been no recurrence after one year of follow-up since surgery.

Conclusion:

In the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal pelvic mass at all ages, lipoma should be considered as a rare cause.

T4 retroperitoneal liposarcoma. Challenges of big size sarcomas surgical treatment

Our article presents some of the challenges of the surgical treatment of T4 (>15 cm) retroperitoneal liposarcomas (up to 65∕56∕30 cm, 25.5 kg) series of cases treated by the Department of Surgical Oncology, Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă Oncology Institute, Cluj-Napoca (IOCN), Romania, with illustrations, insisting on important blood vessels and nerves dissection and preservation and discussions of strategies with references to important articles from the last 10 years specialty literature. Challenges do not come only from intraoperative difficulties but also from establishing the right attitude from the extent of resection and oncological safety point of view, the role of the pathologist being very important because histological subtype and completeness of the resections are the most important prognostic factors for such tumors. Despite all today available aids in decision making, like nomograms or high-resolution imagery, sometimes this decision is to be taken intraoperative based on surgeon's expertise and skills. That is why is strongly advised that such cases to be treated in high-volume specialized tertiary centers of surgical oncology.

Giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma with a maximum diameter of 37 cm: a case report and review of literature

Retroperitoneal liposarcoma is a rare malignancy derived from adipocytes. They can grow to large sizes before inducing clinical symptoms. Giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma with a diameter over 30 centimeters is extremely rare. So far, only 13 cases of giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma with a diameter greater than 30 cm have been reported. There is very little experience in the treatment of these bulky tumors. Herein, we report a 65-year-old male patient diagnosed with giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma. The patient underwent successful complete surgical resection. The tumor was found to occupy almost the entire abdominal cavity, measuring 37.0 cm × 32.0 cm × 26.5 cm in size and 21.0 kg in weight. Histopathological analysis indicated a grade I, well-differentiated liposarcoma. The patient was discharged uneventfully, and no sign of recurrence was observed at 12-month follow-up. Moreover, we reviewed 13 literatures in English published on PubMed database regarding retroperitoneal liposarcoma greater than 30 cm in diameter. The analysis suggests that size alone should not be considered as a contraindication to surgical resection. Combined resection of adjacent organs is necessary if local invasion is confirmed. The role of adjuvant radio or chemotherapy remains controversial. Thorough evaluation on the extent of resection should be made to minimize post-surgery decline in quality of life.

Recurrent giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma with 10 years follow up. Case report and review of literature

INTRODUCTION

This case is of a patient with a recurrent giant retroperitoneal liposarcoma, followed-up and operated multiple times over 10 years. We report this case because of its rarity and review all previous articles reporting "Giant Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma" in the English literature.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 70 years old man presented to our clinic for dizziness and fatigue. He was incidentally found to have a large retroperitoneal mass filling all the length of the abdominal cavity and shifting all intraabdominal viscera and kidney to the left side. En bloc excision of a 50 × 30 × 18 cm, 9 kg tumor was performed. Final pathology revealed a well-differentiated liposarcoma. Five years later, the patient was reoperated for recurrence and a well-differentiated liposarcoma was excised in 2 pieces (the biggest measuring 14 × 11 × 7 cm) along with the appendix. Four years later the patient was operated on again for a second recurrence, and again a well-differentiated liposarcoma (16 × 10 × 7 cm) extending into the right inguinal canal was excised. One year thereafter, the patient was diagnosed with a third recurrence (22 × 12 cm).

DISCUSSION

Retroperitoneal Liposarcomas are rare tumors, presenting with different histological differentiation. They are diagnosed using multiple imaging modality, mainly CT scan, and it is confirmed by percutaneous large core needle biopsy. R0 Surgical excision remains the proper treatment for non-metastatic tumors, which may necessicate multiorgan resection. They rarely grow to reach a large size and be labled as "Giant Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma".

En Bloc Resection of a Giant Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma: A Surgical Challenge

Liposarcomas are exceedingly rare entities that evoke malignant transformation of connective tissue and fat cells. These tumours occur throughout the soft tissues of the body, afflicting a myriad of regions. In the adult population, liposarcomas represent the most prevalent subtype of sarcomas, and often arise de novo. Retroperitoneal liposarcomas (RLS) are a ubiquitous subset of sarcomas that, due to their deep location in the hollow abdomen, can grow to astronomical proportions before manifesting any noticeable symptoms; a prompt diagnosis of RLS is therefore often rendered dilatory. We hereby delineate the case of a 43-year-old woman who presented with vague left hemiabdominal distention and discomfort. A subsequent computed tomography scan divulged a giant retroperitoneal growth impaling on and thus displacing the pancreas. A compartmental, en bloc resection was performed, with subsequent histopathology of the excised specimen revealing a well-differentiated liposarcoma. The surgical intervention was curative and led to an uneventful recovery. This paper highlights the pertinence of surgical management as an appropriate treatment modality for a complete resection of RLS.