Background. Primary liposarcoma of the vulva is extremely rare. We report a
case of liposarcoma of the vulva which was treated with local excision and
postoperative radiotherapy.
Case. A 21-year-old woman complained of a painless lump in her labium majus
which she first noticed 3 years earlier. An initial diagnosis of lipoma of
the vulva was made. The patient was treated by surgical removal. On examin
ation of the surgical specimen, the final pathological diagnosis was well-d
ifferentiated liposarcoma and the stalk was not excised completely. Radioth
erapy was initiated because of the uncertainty of the patient's prognosis.
Eighteen months after radiotherapy, no evidence of local recurrence, metast
asis, and late complication has been seen.
Conclusion. This case is suggestive of the contribution of postoperative ra
diotherapy, although not conclusive, and continued monitoring is necessary
because recurrence or metastasis can occur years later. (C) 2000 Academic P
ress.