A rare type of cancer that starts in the fat cells is called myxoid liposarcoma (MLPS). Sometimes, people may have this cancer for years before experiencing symptoms. It often causes a visible lump under the skin on the legs or arms. While the most common treatments for myxoid liposarcoma that has not spread to other parts of the body are surgery and radiation therapy, when it spreads, doctors may also prescribe targeted therapy and chemotherapy.
This condition is a type of liposarcoma, which is a group of rare cancers that begin to develop in fat cells. Most of the time, MLPS grows slowly and does not cause any symptoms in the early stages. Mostly, it spreads to nearby tissues (such as muscles and skin), but sometimes, it may spread to organs and bones. Some healthcare professionals call this type of cancer myxoid round cell liposarcoma. The name comes from the form of the cancer cells that look round when doctors examine them under a microscope.
What Are The Symptoms of Myxoid Liposarcoma?
One of the most common symptoms of MLPS is a lump under the skin that often appears in the deep tissue in the leg (such as the thigh) or arms. These tumors may also appear in the chest, abdomen, or pelvic area. When the tumors grow large enough, they can cause the following symptoms. Examples include:
- Pain
- Nausea
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Unintended or unexplained weight loss
- Swelling
- Blood in the stool
- Constipation
- Vomiting
If any of the previous symptoms occur without an obvious reason, do not hesitate to visit a doctor. Otherwise, it may lead to metastatic MLPS.
Causes
This health condition happens when a part of a chromosome breaks and attaches to a different one. As a result, it leads to a fusion gene that turns healthy cells into cancerous cells. Generally, there are 2 primary types of fusion genes connected to MLPS. For example:
- FUS::DDIT3 (it is found in about 95% of people with this type of cancer)
- EWSR1::DDIT3 (this fusion appears only in 5% of people with MLPS)
To confirm myxoid liposarcoma, doctors will perform tests to check for these abnormal genes. Nowadays, experts do not fully understand what exactly causes the fusion of these genes that eventually leads to cancer. However, physicians have found some factors that may increase your risk of developing MLPS. Check some of them below:
- Age – This type of cancer mostly appears in people between the ages of 30 and 50. In any case, it can affect people of all ages.
- Sex – Males are more likely to develop myxoid liposarcoma compared to women.
- Radiation exposure – In rare cases, people who have received radiation therapy to treat another type of cancer may develop MLPS.
- Present genetic syndromes – For example, neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, and others.
What Happens if Myxoid Liposarcoma is Left Untreated?
People who develop this type of liposarcoma may also experience some complications, especially if they do not have symptoms or leave it untreated. Check some examples below:
- Metastasis – This complication occurs when the tumor grows large enough to break and spread to other parts of the body (such as lungs and bones).
- Recurrence – Sometimes, this cancer returns even after a successful treatment.
- Treatment complications – These include an increased risk for infections, bleeding, delayed incision healing, and others.
- Reduced range of motion in limbs
- Arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm)
- Heart failure
- High-grade transformation – When a tumor has a round cell component that exceeds 5%, it is considered high-grade. In such cases, the risk of metastasis and death significantly increases.
The previous list does not contain a full list of complications, but you can consult with your doctor about measures to reduce the risk or even prevent them.
Diagnosis
Like the diagnosis of many other types of cancer, doctors start with a physical examination to check for irregularities linked to the disease and questions about the symptoms and medical history. In any case, to rule out or confirm MLPS, they will perform the following tests and procedures. For example:
- CT (computed tomography) scan – This is an imaging test used to determine the exact location and size of the tumor.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan – It is another imaging test used to get detailed images of the tumor and nearby tissues, nerves, blood vessels, and muscles.
- Molecular and gene testing – These tests are used to check for fusion genes associated with MLPS.
- Biopsy – During this test, physicians will remove a small sample of the tumor for testing under a microscope. It helps check for cancerous cells.
Once you are diagnosed with myxoid liposarcoma, doctors will perform additional tests and use the TNM staging system to determine the extent of cancer. Staging the cancer helps make the best treatment plan for you.
Treatment
In most cases, to treat a myxoid liposarcoma, doctors prescribe a combination of treatments. Check some examples below:
- Surgery – This is a primary treatment for people with myxoid liposarcoma (especially in the early stages). During this procedure, surgeons will remove the tumor and some healthy tissue around it to make sure there are no remaining cancerous cells.
- Radiation therapy – This therapy uses powerful energy to destroy cancerous cells. While this energy often comes from X-rays and protons, it may also come from other sources. Moreover, doctors may also recommend it before surgery to shrink a large tumor or after surgery to destroy cancer cells that may remain after surgery.
- Chemotherapy – This is another cancer treatment that involves strong medicines to destroy cancerous cells throughout the body. Doctors prescribe it in advanced stages of MLPS. It can also be used along with radiation therapy to improve the effectiveness of the treatment, especially when surgery is not an option.
- Targeted therapy – It also involves medicines that find and block certain proteins in the cancer cells, causing them to die. Most of the time, targeted therapy is used when other treatments do not work.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Typically, you should visit a doctor when the treatment you follow does not help or if the cancer goes into remission (there are no signs or symptoms of cancer). It is important to remember that myxoid liposarcoma may return even after successful treatment. For more details, discuss it with your physician.
Can myxoid liposarcoma be cured?
No, but it can be placed into remission, which means you get rid of all signs and symptoms. In any case, it may return. That’s why physicians recommend regular checkups even if you do not have any signs of cancer.
What is the survival rate for myxoid liposarcoma?
Some recent studies have shown that the 5-year survival rate of MLPS is approximately 79% and the 10-year survival rate is about 65%.
Can myxoid liposarcoma spread to other parts of the body?
Yes. Although myxoid liposarcoma often grows slowly, it can spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body, especially the bones, lungs, soft tissues, and certain organs (such as the lungs). The risk of spreading is generally higher in high-grade tumors with a significant round cell component.
Is myxoid liposarcoma hereditary?
Most cases are not inherited and occur sporadically. However, certain inherited genetic conditions may increase the risk of developing soft tissue sarcomas, including myxoid liposarcoma.
How quickly does myxoid liposarcoma grow?
The growth rate varies from person to person. Many myxoid liposarcomas grow slowly and may remain unnoticed for years. However, some tumors can grow more aggressively, particularly those with a larger round cell component.
Can myxoid liposarcoma come back after treatment?
Yes. Even after successful treatment, myxoid liposarcoma can recur months or years later. Regular follow-up appointments, imaging studies, and physical examinations are important to detect any recurrence as early as possible.
What is the difference between myxoid liposarcoma and other liposarcomas?
Myxoid liposarcoma is a specific subtype of liposarcoma characterized by unique genetic changes and a gelatinous (myxoid) appearance under the microscope. It generally responds better to radiation therapy than some other liposarcoma subtypes and often has a different pattern of spread.
Are there lifestyle changes that can help during treatment?
While lifestyle changes cannot cure myxoid liposarcoma, maintaining a balanced diet, staying physically active as tolerated, getting adequate rest, and following your healthcare provider’s recommendations may help improve overall well-being and recovery during treatment.
How often will I need follow-up visits after treatment?
The frequency of follow-up visits depends on factors such as the stage of the cancer, treatment received, and individual risk of recurrence. Many patients require regular imaging scans and examinations every few months during the first few years after treatment, followed by less frequent monitoring over time. If you have any other questions, ask your healthcare provider.
