CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES IN DIAGNOSIS OF LIPOSARCOMAS OF THE THIGH - A REPORT OF 18 CASES

Liposarcoma is a common soft tissue neoplasm mainly found in the thigh . Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for survival , but clinical diagnosis may not be easy, and the importance of imagin g is controversial as it often fails to indicate the presence of lipos arcoma so that treatment is delayed. We report our experience of 18 ca ses of liposarcoma (16 of which in the thigh). This experience has led us to revise our opinions about imaging, clinical, and histopathologi cal diagnosis, and the surgical and medical treatment. We now suggest that any hard, subfascial mass in an adult should be considered as a s oft tissue neoplasm. Of these neoplasms, liposarcoma is the most commo n type, after malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Diagnosis by imaging tec hniques is rarely possible, so that integration with clinical data is essential. Among the various imaging techniques, computed tomography a nd ultrasound seem to be most useful.