Giant retroperitoneal liposarcomas presenting as potbelly: A rare mimicker and surgical challenge
Author(s): Rajesh Goud E, Manideep B, Malyadri Paladugu and Vaishnavi Patil
Abstract: Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPLPS) is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor arising from adipose tissue, often presenting late due to its deep anatomical location and indolent growth. We report two cases of large, well-differentiated retroperitoneal liposarcoma (WD-RPLPS) in young male patients aged 47 and 36 years, respectively. Both presented with abdominal distension and imaging revealed giant fat-density retroperitoneal masses measuring 35×30×25 cm and 30×28×17 cm. One patient underwent PET-CT evaluation, demonstrating mild-to-moderate heterogeneous FDG uptake within a predominantly fatty lesion. Both patients underwent complete surgical excision under general anesthesia. Gross and microscopic findings demonstrated mature adipocytes with atypical spindle cells and fibrous septations, while immunohistochemistry confirmed strong nuclear MDM2 positivity, consistent with well-differentiated retroperitoneal liposarcoma (WD-RPLPS). Postoperative recovery was uneventful in both cases. These cases highlight the diagnostic importance of advanced imaging and confirmatory immunohistopathology in identifying WD-RPLPS. Complete surgical resection remains the cornerstone of curative treatment, particularly given the tumor’s tendency to attain massive size prior to detection. Early recognition and multidisciplinary management are vital to optimize outcomes in this uncommon malignancy.
Rajesh Goud E, Manideep B, Malyadri Paladugu, Vaishnavi Patil. Giant retroperitoneal liposarcomas presenting as potbelly: A rare mimicker and surgical challenge. Int J Case Rep Surg 2025;7(2):298-302. DOI: 10.22271/27081494.2025.v7.i2e.232
