Liposarcoma is a rare tumor that begins in the body’s fatty tissues, but can easily spread to other soft tissues, such as muscles and skin. Because it is so easy to reappear in the same place, even after removal, or spread to other places, this type of cancer is considered malignant.
Although liposarcoma can occur anywhere in the body that has a layer of fat, it is more common in the arms, legs or abdomen, and occurs mainly in the elderly.
- Because it is a malignant cancer.
- Liposarcoma should be identified as soon as possible so that treatment has a higher chance of success.
- Treatment may include surgical removal of the tumor.
- As well as a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Signs and symptoms of liposarcoma may vary depending on the site affected:
Whenever there is a change in the arms, legs or abdomen that takes more than a week to disappear, it is very important to consult a GP, who will assess the case and understand if it is necessary to refer it to another medical specialty.
After evaluating your signs and symptoms, it’s common for your doctor to order more tests to identify the possibility of liposarcoma. The most commonly used tests are CT, as well as MRI.
If the result continues to support the hypothesis that it is liposarcoma, the doctor usually order a biopsy, in which a piece of tissue, removed from the nodule site, is sent for testing to the lab, where cancer can be detected. be confirmed, as well as the identification of the specific type of liposarcoma, to help in the adequacy of the treatment.
There are 4 main types of liposarcoma
After identifying the type of liposarcoma, as well as its stage of evolution, the doctor can better adapt the treatment, increasing the chances of recovery, especially if the cancer is at an early stage.
The treatment used may vary depending on the affected site, as well as the stage of liposarcoma evolution, however, it is relatively common for the first approach to be performed by surgery to try to remove as many cancer cells as possible.
However, because it is often difficult to remove all cancers by surgery alone, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy or radiation therapy may sometimes be done before surgery to reduce the size of the cancer and make it easier to remove.