A contemporary review of myxoid adipocytic tumors

Abstract

Myxoid adipocytic tumors encompass a broad heterogeneous group of benign and malignant adipocytic tumors, which are typically myxoid (e.g. myxoid liposarcoma, lipoblastoma and lipoblastoma-like tumor of the vulva) or may occasionally appear predominantly myxoid (e.g. pleomorphic liposarcoma, atypical lipomatous tumor, dedifferentiated liposarcoma, chondroid lipoma, spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma, atypical spindle cell lipomatous tumor and atypical pleomorphic lipomatous tumor). There have been significant advances in recent years in classification and understanding the pathogenesis of adipocytic tumors, based on the correlation of histologic, immunohistochemical, and cytogenetic/molecular findings. Despite these advances, the morphologic diagnosis and accurate classification of a myxoid adipocytic tumor can be challenging due to major morphologic overlap between myxoid adipocytic and non-adipocytic tumors. This article will provide a review on the currently known morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular features of myxoid adipocytic tumors and their differential diagnosis.

Keywords: Atypical lipomatous tumor; Atypical spindle cell/pleomorphic lipomatous tumor; Chondroid lipoma; Dedifferentiated liposarcoma; Lipoblastoma; Lipoblastoma-like tumor of the vulva; Myxoid liposarcoma; Pleomorphic liposarcoma; Pleomorphic myxoid liposarcoma; Spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma.