# Lipoblastoma-Like Tumor: A Case Report From Costa Rica

**Authors:** Adrian Castro Madrigal, Pedro Madriz de Haan, Sofía Suárez Sánchez

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.94569 · Cureus · 2025-10-14

## TL;DR

A rare lipoblastoma-like tumor in a woman's vulva was diagnosed and successfully treated with surgery and monitoring.

## Contribution

This case report adds to the limited literature on lipoblastoma-like tumors in the vulvar region and emphasizes the importance of molecular testing for accurate diagnosis.

## Key findings

- The tumor was confirmed as a lipoblastoma-like tumor with specific histopathological features.
- Surgical excision with clear margins led to no recurrence over 24 months.
- Molecular analysis showed absence of DDIT3 rearrangement, aiding in differential diagnosis.

## Abstract

Lipoblastoma-like tumors (LLTs) are rare adipocytic neoplasms, most commonly found in the vulvar region. Their histopathological and molecular features often overlap with other adipocytic tumors, making diagnosis challenging. We report the case of a 41-year-old woman who presented with a painless mass in the right labia majora. An initial excisional biopsy confirmed a lipoblastoma-like tumor, characterized by spindle cells in a myxoid stroma, focal positivity for CD34 and S100, and absence of DDIT3 rearrangement. Imaging revealed residual nodular lesions, prompting a wide local excision, which achieved negative margins. No recurrence was observed during a 24-month follow-up. LLTs pose diagnostic challenges due to their morphological similarities with lipoblastoma, myxoid liposarcoma, spindle cell lipoma, and atypical spindle cell/pleomorphic lipomatous tumor (ASCPLT). Immunohistochemical and molecular analyses, especially the absence of DDIT3 and PLAG1 rearrangements, are essential for accurate diagnosis. Surgical excision with clear margins remains the treatment of choice, and long-term monitoring is advised due to the potential, though rare, risk of recurrence or metastasis. LLTs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vulvar soft tissue masses. Accurate histopathological and molecular evaluation, combined with appropriate surgical management, ensures favorable outcomes and helps avoid unnecessary interventions.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** CD34 (CD34 molecule), S100A1 (S100 calcium binding protein A1), DDIT3 (DNA damage inducible transcript 3), PLAG1 (PLAG1 zinc finger)
- **Diseases:** lipoblastoma (MONDO:0016611), myxoid liposarcoma (MONDO:0013280), spindle cell lipoma (MONDO:0000962)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** PLAG1 (PLAG1 zinc finger) [NCBI Gene 5324] {aka PSA, SGPA, SRS4, ZNF912}, S100A1 (S100 calcium binding protein A1) [NCBI Gene 6271] {aka S100, S100-alpha, S100A}, DDIT3 (DNA damage inducible transcript 3) [NCBI Gene 1649] {aka AltDDIT3, C/EBPzeta, CEBPZ, CHOP, CHOP-10, CHOP10}, CD34 (CD34 molecule) [NCBI Gene 947]
- **Diseases:** spindle cell lipoma (MESH:D002277), metastasis (MESH:D009362), myxoid liposarcoma (MESH:D018208), LLTs (MESH:D062689), ASCPLT (MESH:D008080), adipocytic neoplasms (MESH:D009369)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

13 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12614117/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12614117