Lipomatous tumors-how we have reached our present views, what controversies remain and why we still face diagnostic problems: a tribute to Dr Franz Enzinger.

The group of soft tissue lipomatous tumors constitutes an unusually complex clinical and morphologic mosaic. Over the last 4 decades, there has been great progress in identifying recognizable and reproducible patterns that are of great clinical significance. Through his sharp eyes, analytical and scientific mind, and didactic skills, Dr Franz Enzinger has played a key role in this development. Recent genetic discoveries in the field of lipomatous tumors have confirmed morphologically based theories and provided new insight into pathogenetic mechanisms.