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Liposarcoma is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma, making up about 15% to 20% of diagnoses. Liposarcoma develops in the fat cells of soft tissue, and symptoms can vary based on where the tumor is located.

Here, I¡¯ll share common liposarcoma symptoms, conditions that may mimic liposarcoma and when you should see a doctor for symptoms. 

Common liposarcoma symptoms

Liposarcoma symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the part of the body the cancer affects.

Sometimes, people don¡¯t have any symptoms, and tumors are found incidentally when doctors are checking for something else.

Arms and legs

A growing painless lump in the arm or leg is the most common symptom of liposarcoma that develops in the extremities. Other symptoms may include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Weakness in the affected arm or leg

Abdomen

Liposarcoma can also form in the retroperitoneum, the space in the back of the abdomen. People may not notice any symptoms at first because tumors can hide in the belly. Once the tumor grows, it can press on organs, causing:

• Bloating or swelling in the belly
• Swelling in the groin
• Unintentional weight loss
• Back pain
• Early satiety, or feeling full very soon after eating
• Constipation

Most liposarcomas grow slowly

There are four different types of liposarcoma:

• Well-differentiated liposarcoma
• Dedifferentiated liposarcoma
• Myxoid liposarcoma
• Pleomorphic liposarcoma

Well-differentiated liposarcoma is the most common type of liposarcoma. These tumors tend to be low-grade and slow-growing. It¡¯s possible to have well-differentiated liposarcoma for several years and not know until the tumor grows large enough to cause symptoms.

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma and pleomorphic liposarcoma are aggressive. Myxoid liposarcoma responds well to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Pleomorphic is the most aggressive type of liposarcoma and has the highest rate of metastasis, meaning it¡¯s most likely to spread to other organs.

Liposarcoma can mimic benign conditions

Liposarcomas are fatty tumors. Sometimes liposarcomas in the arms or legs are mistaken for lipomas, which are benign (non-cancerous) fatty tumors under the skin. But lipomas are soft and squishy; you can move them around with your fingers when they are small. Liposarcoma tumors tend to be firm, and you cannot move them around because they are affixed to underlying tissue.

How liposarcoma is diagnosed

When you visit your doctor with liposarcoma symptoms, your doctor will usually order a CT scan or MRI. If there¡¯s a lump on your extremity, you may get an ultrasound first. Then, if they identify a fatty tumor, you will need a biopsy to see if it¡¯s cancerous.

If a cancer diagnosis is made, we¡¯ll often do next-generation sequencing to learn more about the tumor¡¯s genetic characteristics. This will help us identify the specific type of liposarcoma and develop the best treatment plan.

When to see a doctor for liposarcoma symptoms

See a doctor if you notice any new or concerning changes in your body. For instance, if you¡¯ve had a lump on your leg for 10 years that has remained the same size, there probably isn¡¯t cause for concern. But if it starts growing ¨C say at Thanksgiving it was one size and by New Year¡¯s it has gotten bigger ¨C you¡¯d want to see a doctor. Also see a doctor if you have any symptoms, such as pain, swelling or limited mobility or range of motion in the affected limb.

Liposarcoma in the abdomen doesn¡¯t always have obvious symptoms. So, I¡¯d urge you to see a doctor for any concerning changes to your bowel habits or appetite, or unexplained weight loss.

You know your body, so trust your instincts. If something doesn¡¯t feel right or you have symptoms that are worsening, talk to your doctor. That way, they can run diagnostic tests to either rule out or diagnose liposarcoma. If it is liposarcoma, they can help determine the best treatment.

, is a sarcoma medical oncologist at MD Anderson.

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