Liposarcoma of the anterior mediastinum and thymus: A clinicopathologic study of 28 cases Journal Article


Authors: Klimstra, D. S.; Moran, C. A.; Perino, G.; Koss, M. N.; Rosai, J.
Article Title: Liposarcoma of the anterior mediastinum and thymus: A clinicopathologic study of 28 cases
Abstract: We studied 28 cases of anterior mediastinal liposarcoma occurring in 16 males and 12 females with a mean age of 43 years (range, 14-72). Presenting symptoms included dyspnea (four cases) and chest pain (four cases), although 11 tumors were detected incidentally by routine chest radiography. Seven cases were believed to be located within the thymus. Most (i.e., 25) of the cases were of low grade, with the well-differentiated lipoma-like or sclerosing subtypes constituting 60% and the myxoid subtype constituting 28%; the remaining 12% exhibited mixed features. Three cases were pleomorphic type. Several low-grade tumors exhibited widespread, dense aggregates of mature-appearing lymphocytes and plasma cells, which occasionally obscured the mesenchymal nature of the neoplasm, suggesting instead a lymphoid neoplasm or a reactive fibroinflammatory condition. The three high-grade tumors showed combinations of pleomorphic and round cell patterns, with focal myxoid areas. Of the cases grossly arising within the thymus, only one showed extensive thymic tissue within the lesion ('thymoliposarcoma'); six others exhibited residual thymus peripheral to the tumor. Clinical follow-up in 23 cases revealed recurrence in seven patients (31.8%), with a mean interval to recurrence of 3 years. Eight patients died (mean survival, 2.6 years), one postoperatively and three following a recurrence. Fifteen patients were alive (mean survival, 2 years), four with recurrent tumor. The myxoid tumors had a somewhat more aggressive course than the well-differentiated tumors. Metastases were not observed in any of the patients.
Keywords: adolescent; adult; cancer survival; clinical article; human tissue; treatment outcome; aged; survival analysis; cancer surgery; clinical feature; cancer recurrence; follow up; cancer diagnosis; cancer grading; neoplasm recurrence, local; histology; dyspnea; thorax pain; thymus; cancer size; mediastinum; mediastinal neoplasms; thymus neoplasms; thymus cancer; liposarcoma; middle age; mediastinum cancer; human; male; female; article
Journal Title: American Journal of Surgical Pathology
Volume: 19
Issue: 7
ISSN: 0147-5185
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 1995-07-01
Start Page: 782
End Page: 791
Language: English
PUBMED: 7793476
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI: 10.1097/00000478-199507000-00006
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 28 August 2018 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Juan Rosai
    181 Rosai
  2. David S Klimstra
    978 Klimstra