Lipoma and Its Doppelganger: The Atypical Lipomatous Tumor/Well-Differentiated Liposarcoma

Elliott J Yee; Camille L Stewart; Michael R Clay; Martin M McCarter

doi:10.1016/j.suc.2022.04.006

Lipoma and Its Doppelganger: The Atypical Lipomatous Tumor/Well-Differentiated Liposarcoma

Surg Clin North Am. 2022 Aug;102(4):637-656. doi: 10.1016/j.suc.2022.04.006.

Authors

Elliott J Yee¹, Camille L Stewart², Michael R Clay³, Martin M McCarter²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, University of Colorado, 12605 East 16th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Electronic address: elliott.yee@cuanschutz.edu.
² Department of Surgery, University of Colorado, 12605 East 16th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
³ Department of Pathology, Univeristy of Colorado, 12605 East 16th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.

PMID: 35952693
DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2022.04.006

Abstract

Lipomatous tumors are among the most common soft tissue lesions encountered by the general surgeon. Shared history and clinical presentation make differentiation between benign lipomas and low-grade liposarcomas a diagnostic dilemma. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical history, diagnostic workup, management, natural history, and surveillance of benign lipomas and atypical lipomatous tumors/well-differentiated liposarcomas. Although it is important that aggressive, potentially malignant atypical lipomatous tumors and liposarcomas be managed in a multidisciplinary, preferably high-volume setting, it is equally as important for the nonspecialist general surgeon to be familiar with lipoma and its doppelganger-the well-differentiated liposarcoma.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Lipoma; Management; Review; Well-differentiated liposarcoma.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Lipoma* / diagnosis
Lipoma* / pathology
Lipoma* / surgery
Liposarcoma* / diagnosis
Liposarcoma* / pathology
Liposarcoma* / surgery
Soft Tissue Neoplasms* / diagnosis
Soft Tissue Neoplasms* / pathology
Soft Tissue Neoplasms* / surgery