Key result
A giant dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the neck with osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma components was successfully treated with chemotherapy and radical excision, with no recurrence at 1-year follow-up.
Why the study?
Dedifferentiated liposarcoma is rare in the head and neck region, with limited reported cases making treatment efficacy and prognosis difficult to accurately predict.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Radical excision combined with preoperative chemotherapy and embolization successfully treated a rare giant dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the neck with no recurrence at one year.
Supports short-term success of multimodal therapy for rare neck liposarcoma; leaves open durability and generalizability beyond this case.
Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is a subtype of LPS characterized by two distinct levels of differentiation and morphological structures, comprising areas of well‑differentiated LPS and dedifferentiated, non‑lipogenic, highly malignant components. DDLPS most frequently occurs in the retroperitoneum and the soft tissues of the pelvis and limbs, and is rare in the head and neck region, accounting for only 1% of head and neck sarcomas. The present study describes the case of a 72‑year‑old male with a 30‑year history of left upper limb numbness and heaviness. During physical examination, a tumor measuring ~13x22 cm was discovered in the left posterior region of the head and neck. The mass was hard in texture and had limited mobility. A biopsy of the lesion revealed a mesenchymal tumor rich in adipose components with ossification, containing heterologous elements primarily indicative of osteosarcoma, highly suggestive of DDLPS. A radical excision of the tumor was subsequently performed. The surgical specimen exhibits cross‑sections with a gray‑white to gray‑yellow solid consistency, featuring gray‑white, semi‑transparent areas resembling cartilage. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for murine double minute 2 (MDM2), cyclin‑dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), P16, P53, Vimentin and Ki‑67, and negative for cytokeratin pan, S‑100, CD34 and smooth muscle actin. Fluorescence in situ hybridization results indicated amplification of the MDM2 and CDK4 genes. In the present study, a case of a large DDLPS in the neck with components of osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma was reported. There was no recurrence during the follow‑up period. The pathological characteristics, diagnosis and current treatment methods for DDLPS were also described. Although cases of DDLPS have been reported, the number of cases described at this site remains limited to date, and it is currently not possible to accurately predict the treatment efficacy and prognosis.
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Zeng et al. (2025) conducted a case report in Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) of the neck (n=1). Chemotherapy and radical excision was evaluated on Tumor recurrence. A giant dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the neck with osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma components was successfully treated with chemotherapy and radical excision, with no recurrence at 1-year follow-up.
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