Case Report
Dedifferentiated liposarcoma with a rare presentation of disseminated intraperitoneal sarcomatosis: A case report

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2019.06.051Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Dedifferentiated liposarcoma can present with disseminated intraperitoneal sarcomatosis.

  • Fluorescence in situ hybridization for MDM2 gene amplification is diagnostically discriminative.

  • Prognosis is poor and the benefit of chemotherapy remains uncertain.

  • Novel targeted therapies involving MDM2 and CKD4 inhibitors may emerge as viable systemic therapy options.

Abstract

Introduction

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma is rare and tends to present with discrete tumors in the retroperitoneum, limbs and trunk. Majority of cases arise de-novo as primary tumors, while a minority occur as recurrences of well-differentiated liposarcomas. There has been no previous report of dedifferentiated liposarcoma presenting as disseminated intraperitoneal sarcomatosis.

Presentation of case

This report describes a young Asian female with disseminated intraperitoneal sarcomatosis arising from de-novo dedifferentiated liposarcoma, and discusses the diagnostic challenges faced in this highly unusual disease presentation. Initial biopsy was unconclusive, and considerations included sclerosing mesenteritis or an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was subsequently performed and showed amplification of the MDM2 gene. A diagnosis of dedifferentiated liposarcoma was then made.

Discussion

This was an extremely unusual presentation of advanced dedifferentiated liposarcoma that was eventually diagnosed using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Prognosis is poor and the only viable treatment options was palliative chemotherapy.

Conclusion

The diagnosis of dedifferentiated liposarcoma should be considered early and surgery carried out when still feasible.

Keywords

Liposarcoma
Dedifferentiated liposarcoma
Intraperitoneal sarcomatosis
MDM2

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