Successful Preoperative Radiotherapy for Neglected Shoulder Liposarcoma: A Retrospective Case Report

TL;DR

A rare case of a large, untreated shoulder liposarcoma was successfully treated with preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery.

Contribution

This case report highlights a successful localized dual therapy approach for a large, aggressive liposarcoma.

Findings

Preoperative radiotherapy effectively reduced the tumour size, enabling surgical removal.

The tumour exhibited prolonged untreated growth without metastasis.

The case emphasizes the importance of distinguishing liposarcoma from lipoblastoma for accurate treatment.

Abstract

This study examines a unique case of a 61-year-old male with a 5-year history of a progressively growing mass above his right shoulder, diagnosed as a dedifferentiated pleomorphic liposarcoma. Using computerized tomography-guided core needle biopsy, the tumour was identified as intermediate to high grade. Surgical removal required preoperative radiotherapy to reduce the size of the tumour. Several unique characteristics set apart this particular case of liposarcoma: its substantial size, its unpredictable growth pattern, its absence of metastasis, and notably, its prolonged period of being untreated. This case report outlines the clinical background, diagnostic procedures, and treatment modalities employed in managing this condition, emphasizing a localized dual therapy approach combining radiotherapy and surgery. Emphasis is placed on distinguishing liposarcoma from lipoblastoma, a benign adipocyte tumour, to facilitate accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment selection. The positive result achieved in this case could provide valuable insights for the future treatment and management of similarly sized aggressive tumours.

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