Children with liposarcoma are treated at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's through our Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors Program. Our integrated pediatric oncology program offers the
combined expertise of a leading cancer center and a world-renown children’s
hospital.
Because soft tissue sarcomas affect tissue that is elastic
and easily moved, a tumor may exist for a long time before being discovered,
growing large and pushing aside surrounding tissue. Liposarcoma symptoms vary greatly with
the size, location and spread of the tumor, but may include:
- painless swelling or mass anywhere on the body
- pain or soreness caused by compressed nerves or
muscles
- limping or other difficulty using the legs,
feet, arms or hands
- diminished range of motion in the affected area
In addition to a physical examination, a doctor may order
the following to diagnose a liposarcoma:
- X-rays, which produce images of internal
tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which produces
detailed images of organs and structures within the body and/or spine.
- Computerized tomography scan (also called a CT
or CAT scan) to capture a detailed view of the body, in some cases.
- Biopsy or tissue sample from the tumor to
provide definitive information about the type of tumor; this is collected
during surgery.
- Bone scan to detect bone diseases and tumors as
well as to determine the cause of bone pain or inflammation.
- Complete blood count (CBC), which measures size,
number and maturity of different blood cells in a specific volume of blood.
After all tests are completed, doctors will be able to
outline the best treatment options.
Liposarcoma treatment
The treatment of liposarcoma depends on how far the disease has spread and how aggressive it is. Standard treatment is surgery to remove the entire tumor along with surrounding healthy tissue to ensure that no cancer cells remain. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are used only if surgery alone is ineffective.
Treatment for recurrent liposarcoma
Local recurrence of the disease following surgical resection is common and may be avoided with adjuvant radiation therapy. The risk of recurrence increases with high-grade tumors.
Survival rates for liposarcoma vary widely, depending on the subtype. Myxoid tumors have a five-year survival rate of 80 percent, while aggressive pleomorphic tumors can have a five-year survival rate closer to 20 percent.
Survivorship care
Children treated for liposarcoma should visit a cancer survivorship clinic every year to:
- manage disease complications
- screen for early recurrence of cancer
- manage late effects of treatment
A typical follow-up visit may include some or all
of the following:
- a physical exam
- laboratory testing
- imaging scans
Through our David B. Perini, Jr. Quality of Life Clinic, childhood cancer survivors receive a comprehensive follow-up evaluation from their cancer care team. In addition to meeting with your pediatric
oncologists, your child may see one of our endocrinologists, cardiologists,
neurologists, neuro-psychologists or alternative/complementary therapy
specialists.