# Spindle Cell Lipoma of the Fourth Metatarsal: A Case Report

**Authors:** Khadijah Moustafa, Slava Albaghli, Selim Sürer

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.77220 · Cureus · 2025-01-10

## TL;DR

A rare case of spindle cell lipoma in the foot of a 46-year-old man is reported, highlighting the need to differentiate it from malignant tumors.

## Contribution

This is the first reported case of spindle cell lipoma occurring in the fourth metatarsal.

## Key findings

- The mass was confirmed histologically as a spindle cell lipoma.
- The case emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis in unusual locations to avoid misdiagnosis as a malignancy.

## Abstract

Spindle cell lipoma (SCL) is a rare subtype of lipoma that typically arises in the subcutaneous tissue of the posterior neck and shoulders, most commonly in middle-aged men, and only rarely occurs in the extremities. SCL typically presents as a well-circumscribed, firm mass composed of CD34-positive adipocytes mixed with bland spindle cells and ropy collagen fibers. We present the case of a 46-year-old man who came to the hospital for routine hemodialysis treatment, during which his physician discovered a mass on his left fourth metatarsal that had been slowly growing for the past five years. A subdermal soft tissue lesion (5.6 cm x 3.8 cm x 4.5 cm) was excised, and histological findings confirmed the diagnosis of SCL. This case reports a rare occurrence of SCL in the metatarsal and emphasizes the importance of distinguishing SCL from its malignant equivalents, particularly when it occurs in rare and unusual locations.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** CD34 (CD34 molecule)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CD34 (CD34 molecule) [NCBI Gene 947]
- **Diseases:** SCL (MESH:D002277), lipoma (MESH:D008067)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

5 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11807403/full.md

## References

6 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11807403/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11807403