Ann Dermatol.  2008 Dec;20(4):204-208. 10.5021/ad.2008.20.4.204.

A Case of Dedifferentiated LiposarcomaThat Developed in the Dermis

• Byun JY
• Choi YW
• Choi HY
• Myung KB

• KMID: 2156395
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2008.20.4.204

Abstract

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma is a variant of liposarcoma, and this is characterized by the coexistence of well-differentiated liposarcoma with areas of poorly differentiated, non-lipogenic tumor and this is also known to be associated with more aggressive behavior. Dedifferentiated liposarcoma occurs principally in the retroperitoneum or the deep soft tissue of limbs, but it can also occur in subcutaneous locations. We report here on a peculiar case of dedifferentiated liposarcoma that developed in the dermis, which is an exceedingly rare location for this type of tumor. The occurrence of this tumor in the dermis made it easy to surgically remove and monitor for recurrence, and we expect this patient to have a better prognosis than that of a patient with dedifferentiated liposarcoma located in the retroperitoneum or deep soft tissue.

Keyword

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma; Dedifferentiation; Dermis; Skin

MeSH Terms

Dermis
Extremities
Humans
Liposarcoma
Organothiophosphorus Compounds
Prognosis
Recurrence
Skin
Organothiophosphorus Compounds

Figure

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  Fig. 1 A 9 mm-size dome-shape brownish nodule was located on the right thigh.

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  Fig. 2 (A) Well-differentiated elements consisting of mature adipocytes and lipoblasts were comingled with dedifferentiated elements composed of poorly differentiated round cells in the myxoid dermis (H&E, ×40). (B) Mature adipocytes and well-differentiated lipoblasts were observed in the well-differentiated areas. Some of these cells showed enlarged hyperchromatic atypical nuclei (H&E, ×400). (C) The dedifferentiated areas consisted of poorly differentiated, slightly lipogenic or nonlipogenic round cells (H&E, ×400).

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  Fig. 3 (A) A nonlipogenic lipoblast exhibited a small number of non-membrane bound lipid inclusions (EM, ×12,000). (B) A slightly lipogenic lipoblast showed multiple lipid inclusions (EM, ×7,000). (C) The cell with a large lipid vacuole corresponded to a signet ring cell noted on the light microscopic examination (EM, ×2,000).

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