Multicentric liposarcoma. A case report.

Introduction. - Though rare, observations of multiple liposarcomas show tha t the development of secondary tumors occur in sites usually considered as primary locations. This would be more frequent for myxoid liposarcomas than for other subtypes of the disease. Their origin. either multicentric (ie, coexistence of several primary tumors) or due to metastatic spreading, is s till debated. Exegesis. - We report a ease of myxoid-type multicentric (ie, right poplite al fossa, retroperitoneum and soft tissue of the left arm) liposarcomas of different sizes, without pulmonary, hepatic or osseous involvement. These l iposarcoma were simultaneously diagnosed in a patient who presented with pa in in the right knee, Conclusion. - This support the hypothesis that multiple liposarcomas have a multicentric origin. Initial and follow-up staging of such tumors must inv estigate not only usual metastatic sites but also classical primary locatio ns. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.