Pleomorphic liposarcoma of the foot: a case report

A 71-year-old female presented with a large growing mass on the dorsum of her right foot. Computed tomography showed invasive tumorous mass. Excision biopsy revealed the mass to be a pleomorphic liposarcoma, and below the knee amputation was performed.Although the incidence of pleomorphic liposarcoma in the foot is very low, it is essential to perform thorough histological analysis of all soft tissue masses, regardless of their benign appearance, because only prompt radical surgery can result in a good prognosis for the patient.Liposarcomas are malignant tumors and among the most common soft tissue sarcomas of adult life [1]. They can be devided according to clinicopathologic and cytogenetic characteristics into three distinct subtypes: well-differentiated, myxoid/round cell and pleomorphic liposarcoma [1,2]. Pleomorphic liposarcomas are the rarest, and are characterized by the presence of pleomorphic lipoblasts. According to recent studies [3-5] pleomorphic liposarcomas occur most often in lower and upper limbs, and only three have been found in foot and ankle, one of them occurring in a burn scar [6].We present a case of a pleomorphic liposarcoma of the foot, stressing necessity of a proper histological analysis, followed by radical surgery leading supposedly to a better prognosis for the patient.A 71-year-old female of normal weight presented with a large mass on the dorsum of her right foot which has been gradually increasing in size over 4 months prior to admission to the hospital. Two years before she had a soft tissue injury at the same location, but without any complication and sequels. Otherwise she was without serious illness. Her family history revealed no lipomatous disorders. On physical examination a firm, palpable tumor mass, 6–7 cm in diameter, poorly-defined from surrounding tissue and attached to underlying structures and skin, was detected. The mass was painless, unless examined by deep palpation. Skin above it was of normal color and structure. L