Cytogenetic findings in liposarcoma correlate with histopathologic subtypes

The cytogenetic findings in 31 liposarcomas from 26 patients are reported. Four other tumors did not grow. Three histologic types are represented in this analysis. The well-differentiated liposarcomas were characterized by telomeric associations, large marker chromosomes and ring chromosomes, and in some cases, double minutes. The pleomorphic liposarcomas contained very high clonal chromosomal numbers with near-tetraploid modes and numerous variable, often unidentifiable, chromosomal abnormalities. The myxoid liposarcomas were characterized primarily by a t(12;16)(q13;p11) as the sole abnormality or additional changes. These results indicate that cytogenetic findings may provide a new criterion, not only for establishing the diagnosis of liposarcoma, but also for differentiating confusing histologic types of liposarcoma and these lesions from other types of sarcomas.