Description
The specimen is a very large tumour; the outer surface is nodular in outline and apparently largely
contained within a thin membrane. The cut surface shows one area of recognisable fat but the rest
appears rather myxomatous.
History
This woman first presented at the age of 38 in 1953 with a mass in the left lower quadrant
of the abdomen which was shown to be arising from the anterior abdominal wall behind the
peritoneum. The histology was that of a simple lipoma. The tumour recurred in 1957; microscopy
showed a low-grade lipo-myxo-sarcoma. There were further recurrences in 1966, 1969, 1976,
1977, 1978 and 1981. On the last occasion the left colon was removed with the tumour but although
adherent to the lesion, was not infiltrated. In April 1983 the tumour recurred and extended from
the upper pole of the left kidney into the true pelvis. It was removed. In September 1983
exploration of her abdomen showed three liposarcomatous masses in the abdomen, the largest being
some 6 inches in diameter.