Most common of soft tissue sarcomas, liposarcoma is a slow-growing, progressive, painless (usually), malignant subcutaneous tumor consisting of fatty (adipocytic) tissue. Liposarcomas are more often seen in adults aged 40-70, but it can occur in all age groups. It sometimes may develop atypically: rapidly enlarging with early ulceration. Rarely does a liposarcoma transform from a benign soft tissue neoplasm.

There are 5 soft tissue tumor classifications (WHO):

1. Well-differentiated (sclerosing, inflammatory, and adipocytic) – Also called atypical lipomatous tumor; includes well-differentiated spindle-cell liposarcoma.
2. Dedifferentiated or transitioning
3. Myxoid – Intramuscular thigh is the most common location.
4. Pleomorphic – Usually on extremities or the trunk.
5. Mixed type – Myxoid and well-differentiated or dedifferentiated liposarcoma or myxoid and pleomorphic liposarcoma.

Management involves combinations of treatments tailored to specific subtypes of liposarcoma. These can include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Preferred treatment is tumor removal by radical excision with a wide margin to prevent recurrence at the primary site.