Recurrent primary mediastinal liposarcoma: A case report

Abstract

Primary mediastinal liposarcomas are extremely rare. The current study reports the case of a 63-year-old man presenting with a primary liposarcoma arising from the posterior mediastinum. The patient reported a 6-month history of chest pain with increasing dyspnea for 2 months. Enhanced computed tomography revealed a 10×16-cm mass in the posterior mediastinum. Other physical examinations were normal. Radical resection was performed under the agreement of patient. Subsequent pathological analysis indicated a liposarcoma. The patient recovered and was successfully discharged. However, at a follow-up examination 12 months after surgery, recurrence was identified in the anterior mediastinum. Therefore, the patient underwent surgery. The postoperative course was uneventful, however, there was evidence of disease recurrence 2 years after the second surgery. The patient refused any treatment and succumbed after 3 months.

Keywords: mediastinal liposarcoma; recurrent; surgery.

Figure 1.

Chest computed tomography indicating a large mass in the posterior mediastinum and left cavity.

Figure 2.

Macroscopic view of the tumor. The tumor tissue was multilobulated and the pseudocapsule was intact. Scale bar, 1 cm.

Figure 3.

Pathological examination revealing scattered atypical and hyperchromatic stromal cells (hematoxylin and eosin staining; magnification, ×100).

Figure 4.

Chest computed tomography indicating a large mass in the anterior mediastinum and left cavity.

Figure 5.

Macroscopic view of the tumor. The tumor weighed 980 g and its dimensions were 16×12×8 cm.

Figure 6.

Chest computed tomography indicating a large mass in the posterior mediastinum.