[Analysis of liposarcoma].

Liposarcoma is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas, ranking with rhabdomyosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. We have treated 47 cases of liposarcoma, comprising 35 males and 12 females ranging in age from 22 to 86 years, with a median age of 56 years. The most common site of primary tumor was the thigh, the most common primary tumor stage by the UICC classification was T2, and the most common histological subtype by the WHO classification was myxoid type. Xerography, CT and angiography are useful forms of examination for diagnosis before surgery. Naked eye findings of the tumor often show a lobular or nodular growth pattern. Surgical therapy for the primary tumor, especially curative wide resection (by the method of Kawaguchi, et al.) is most effective for preventing local recurrence. Radiotherapy is not as effective as for rhabdomyosarcoma and chemotherapy should be applied for occult micro-metastases. Ten of the 47 cases died due to distant metastases and the 5 year survival rate was 76.2%.