Clinico-pathologic patterns of extremity liposarcoma

Liposarcoma is a tumour derived from primitive cells that undergo adipose differentiation. To describe the clinico-pathological pattern of extremity liposarcoma in Lagos, Nigeria. This is a descriptive study of patients with histologically established liposarcoma affecting the extremities seen at the Oncology unit of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos Nigeria. Demographic and clinical data ( including age, gender, presenting complaints anatomic location of lesions ), histologic type, clinical stage and treatment outcome were collected using a prepared proforma and analysed. Liposarcoma accounted for 6 [27.3%] of 22 cases of soft tissue sarcomas seen within the study period. All 6 were males with a M:F of 6:0. The age range was 36- 59 years. Lesions were mostly located in the thigh 5/6 (83.3%). The most common histologic type was myxoid seen in 3/6 [50%]. All presented at stage T2bNoMo. Five (83.3%) had limb salvage surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy while one had ablative surgery. Survival and recurrent rates could not be determined as all patients were lost to follow-up soon after surgery. Liposarcoma is the commonest extremity soft tissue sarcoma seen in our centre, the myxoid type being the commonest histologic subtype.