Liposarcoma physical examination

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Alejandro Lemor, M.D. [2]

Overview

Physical examination findings of liposarcoma depend on the location of the tumor. Since most liposarcomas are located in the lower extremities, liposarcoma is commonly associated with the findings of palpable firm nontender mass in one lower extremity. Physical examination of retroperitoneal liposarcomas is usually unremarkable, but other pertinent findings on physical examination of retroperitoneal liposarcomas include palpation of an abdominal mass, abdominal distension, and tenderness.

Physical Examination

Liposarcoma in the right knee.
Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.

Liposarcoma in the left scapular region.
Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons. Original image courtesy of Panoraia Paraskeva, Paraskevas Katsaronis, Eleftherios D Spartalis, et al. Giant liposarcoma of the back with 4 types of histopathology: a case report. Cases Journal. 2009; 2:9339(Open Access)

Physical examination findings will depend on the location of the liposarcoma. Most liposarcomas are located in the lower extremities or in the retroperitoneum.

Extremities

• A palpable firm nontender mass may be appreciated on physical examination. Assessment of the following mass characteristics is crucial during physical examination:

• Size
• Location
• Depth
• Involvement of adjacent structures (such as peripheral nerves or veins)
• Edema

Abdomen

• The physical examination is usually unremarkable among patients with retroperitoneal liposarcomas. Commonly, abdominal liposarcomas are located in the lower quadrants. The development of symptoms may not start until the retroperitoneal liposarcomas measures up to 10-20 cm.
• Other pertinent physical examination findings for retroperitoneal location include:
  • Palpable abdominal mass
  • Abdominal tenderness
• [*[Abdominal distention]]

Lymphadenopathy

• Regional nontender lymphadenopathy may be a pertinent finding on physical examination that suggests lymph node involvement, which is important for TNM staging of the disease.
• Whole-body examination for lymphadenopathy is also warranted to evaluate for distal metastasis.

References

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