abdominal liposarcoma

My husband has a retroperitoneal liposarcoma--it started in the area of the left kidney. It was first diagnosed at age 43 (he was an Air Force pilot and in excellent health). They removed the tumor only, and he went 14 years before a recurrence in 1999. At that time they removed a 25 pound tumor, along with his left kidney, ureter, adrenal gland, spleen, part of the pancreas, and 2/3 of the colon. The recovery was long and hard, but he felt good and was working full time for 2 1/2 years. A CT scan showed more recurrence, so another surgery to remove more tumor. It was low grade and well differentiated, so they said radiation and chemo wouldn't work. It just kept coming back big time, with 5 surgeries in 6 years. Finally in August of 2004 he had a 30 pound tumor (grown in one year--not too slow growing, right?) removed and they finally recommended chemotherapy to save his life. We were not given a lot of hope that it would work, but considered it a last chance. Sarcoma chemo is horrendous, and Sept 04 through Feb 05 was kind of like a nightmare, but he is doing very well now. He is teaching college full time and quality of life is OK. Unlike your mom, he still has his stomach, but not much colon left. He likes to be close to a bathroom! We know he is not cured, but whatever is there is not growing at present, so we bought more time. His remaining kidney function is not perfect thanks to the chemo, but has not affected his quality of life. I just got on this site because I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer, so here we go again. I see your post was in February--how is your mom doing? I'd be happy to answer any questions in more detail--we've been dealing with this for a long time. Good luck.

jotaylor said:

My husband has a retroperitoneal liposarcoma--it started in the area of the left kidney. It was first diagnosed at age 43 (he was an Air Force pilot and in excellent health). They removed the tumor only, and he went 14 years before a recurrence in 1999. At that time they removed a 25 pound tumor, along with his left kidney, ureter, adrenal gland, spleen, part of the pancreas, and 2/3 of the colon. The recovery was long and hard, but he felt good and was working full time for 2 1/2 years. A CT scan showed more recurrence, so another surgery to remove more tumor. It was low grade and well differentiated, so they said radiation and chemo wouldn't work. It just kept coming back big time, with 5 surgeries in 6 years. Finally in August of 2004 he had a 30 pound tumor (grown in one year--not too slow growing, right?) removed and they finally recommended chemotherapy to save his life. We were not given a lot of hope that it would work, but considered it a last chance. Sarcoma chemo is horrendous, and Sept 04 through Feb 05 was kind of like a nightmare, but he is doing very well now. He is teaching college full time and quality of life is OK. Unlike your mom, he still has his stomach, but not much colon left. He likes to be close to a bathroom! We know he is not cured, but whatever is there is not growing at present, so we bought more time. His remaining kidney function is not perfect thanks to the chemo, but has not affected his quality of life. I just got on this site because I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer, so here we go again. I see your post was in February--how is your mom doing? I'd be happy to answer any questions in more detail--we've been dealing with this for a long time. Good luck.

I, too, have had a retroperetoneal liposarcoma removed in Jan, 05. My left kidney felt 'heavy'about six to eight months after the surgery, so I saw a urologist. In March of this year after a CT scan, my tumor was back. I again had surgery, this time with a specialist. He removed the tumor and I had 34 radiation treatments. (He placed a bag filled with saline in my abdomen to move my insides to the left so I could survive the radiation. My last MRI was in September, 06. I just had a PET scan on the 5th of December, o6. Something is there again, but lower (pelvic region)..below where I was radiated.

When I came across your post, I wondered how your husband is doing and if he's had any reoccurances. Also, hope you beat your breast cancer.

liposarcoma
Hello, I am a survivor of 3 major surgeries. I am about to have my 4th surgery. I have tow encapsolated tumors. This was the case in my 3erd surgery in 2010. I have been operated on in 2001 anbd 2005. The first surgery removed a tumor about 3/4 the size of a football. The second in 2005 removed one about the size of a tennis ball. The current tumors are 7cm-11cm and 3cm-1cm. I am scheduled for surgery next month. Has anyone out there had any success with special diets or anything else that seemed to have prevented the reocurrance. Regards

trptman said:

liposarcoma
Hello, I am a survivor of 3 major surgeries. I am about to have my 4th surgery. I have tow encapsolated tumors. This was the case in my 3erd surgery in 2010. I have been operated on in 2001 anbd 2005. The first surgery removed a tumor about 3/4 the size of a football. The second in 2005 removed one about the size of a tennis ball. The current tumors are 7cm-11cm and 3cm-1cm. I am scheduled for surgery next month. Has anyone out there had any success with special diets or anything else that seemed to have prevented the reocurrance. Regards

Suggestive Pleomorphic Liposarcoma ... Help required
February 20, 2012 - 1:59pm

Hello CSN colleagues,

My father just had a surgery for a malignant tumor which doctors say is Pleomorphic Liposarcoma. Below is the Biopsy report, I do not know what it is and what I need to do now. I consulted two doctors, and they have two different views. Can you please advise and help.

HISPATHOLOGY ( BIOPSY REPORT )

CLINICAL DETAILS PROVIDED
Right Adrenal Spindle cell tumor

SPECIMEN
Right adrenal mass

GROSS FINDINGS
Received modular mass, weigh 1.6kg measuring 22*14*12cm . External surface is smooth and congested. Cut surface yellowish tissue with areas of hemorrhage. Adrenal gland identified at one pole.

MICROSCOPIC FINDING
Sections studied from various levels show a highly cellular lesion composed of spindle shaped cells with elongated vesicular nuclei, moderate nuclear pleomorphism. Frequent mitotic figures are seen 12-14/10. There are scattered giant cells in a myxoid background. Tumor is well circumscribed. Areas of necrosis are seen.

IMPRESSION
High Grade Sarcoma
Features are suggestive of Pleomorphic Liposarcoma

Regards,