PRIMARY LIPOSARCOMA OF MEDIASTINUM - REPORT OF A CASE AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Abstract

Primary liposarcomas of the mediastinum are very rare tumors. The 50th documented case, and the 6th in which there was evidence of superior vena caval obstruction was recorded. All previously reported cases were studied. Their salient clinical and pathological features were tabulated. Review of these case reports reveals that the majority of patients have complaints of respiratory distress or chest pain. Other common presenting complaints include cough and weight loss. These tumors grow to an enormous size, and symptoms are referable to compression of contiguous intrathoracic structures. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy or both are ineffective theraputic modalities. The treatment of choice is surgical in all cases. Such an approach serves to establish a tissue diagnosis, relieve the patient''s symptoms, and may at times result in a cure.