Primary Liposarcoma of the Greater Omentum: Report of a Case

Abstract

Liposarcoma almost always occurs in deeper structures of retroperitoneum and extremities. In contrast, intraperitoneal structures are rarely the primary sites of liposarcoma and only a few cases have been reported. A 53 year-old male who presented with an eight-year history of progressive increase in abdominal girth was diagnosed of myxoid liposarcoma originating from the greater omentum of the peritoneal cavity. Physical examination disclosed a movable mass nearly 20cm in diameter over the mid-abdomen. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated a heterogenous intra-abdominal mass, larger than 25cm with multiple cystic compartments. Computed tomography illustrated a well defined, lobulated mass with heterogenous soft tissue density occupying most of the abdominal cavity without invading the adjacent organs. Exploratory laparotomy found a 26×26×10cm^3 well-encapsulated cystic-solid mass from the greater omentum without invading the adjacent organs. Total excision of the mass without sacrificing the adjacent organ was done. Histological examination disclosed myxoid liposarcoma. The patient had survived for more than six years without evidence of tumor recurrence before he died of a fall-down accident. Computed tomography and ultrasonography provided significant information about tumor localization and its relationship to adjacent organs in this case. Total excision of the intraperitoneal mass resulted in cancer-free survival for six more years, suggesting that radical total excision may be the mainstay of treatment in intraperitoneal liposarcoma.