Dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the small bowel mesentery presenting as a submucosal mass

Abstract

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is a variant of liposarcoma but with a more aggressive course. It occurs most commonly in the retroperitoneum and rarely in any other anatomical location. We describe a case of DDLPS arising from the small bowel mesentery presenting as submucosal mass of the small bowel. The current case is unusual as the tumor originated from the small bowel mesentery and a dedifferentiated component transmurally invaded the small bowel wall, including the small bowel submucosa.

Keywords: Dedifferentiated liposarcoma; Small bowel mesentery.

Figure 1

A computed tomography scan demonstrating a fatty mass with a solid portion.

Figure 2

Gross picture showing one portion of a whitish, elastic-hard nodule located in the small bowel wall and the other portion of yellow, soft nodule located in the small bowel mesentery.

Figure 3

Histological examinations of different areas in the mass. A: Well-differentiated component showing atypical cells with nucleomegaly and hyperchromasia scattered within mature adipocytes (HE stain, × 400); B: The dedifferentiated component showing pleomorphic spindle cells arranged in a fascicular pattern (HE stain, × 200); C: The dedifferentiated component invading into the bowel wall (HE stain, × 40).