Liposarcoma – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Liposarcoma is a rare cancer that develops in fat cells. This cancer commonly starts as a growth in the abdomen or muscles of the arms and legs, though it can appear in fat tissue anywhere in the body.
While liposarcoma most frequently affects older adults, people of any age can develop this condition.
Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the cancerous tissue. Doctors may also recommend additional treatments like radiation therapy.
Liposarcoma belongs to a broader category called soft tissue sarcomas, which affect the body’s connective tissues. There are several different types of soft tissue sarcomas, each with unique characteristics and treatment approaches.
Signs and Symptoms
Liposarcoma symptoms vary based on where the cancer forms in the body. People may experience different problems depending on the location of the tumor.
When liposarcoma develops in the arms or legs, you might notice:
- A growing lump under your skin
- Pain in the affected area
- Swelling that doesn’t go away
- Weakness in the limb
If liposarcoma forms in the abdomen (belly), possible symptoms include:
- Stomach pain
- A swollen or enlarged belly
- Feeling full quickly when eating meals
- Difficulty with bowel movements
- Blood in your stool
When To Visit Your Doctor
If you have any persistent symptoms that concern you, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. Don’t ignore warning signs that last for more than a few weeks.
Causes of Liposarcoma
Liposarcoma begins with changes in the DNA of fat cells. DNA contains the instructions that tell each cell what to do.
When these instructions change, normal fat cells transform into cancer cells. These DNA changes make the cancer cells behave differently than healthy cells. They multiply rapidly, creating many extra cells.
Unlike normal cells that die as part of their natural lifecycle, cancer cells continue living. As cancer cells multiply, they form a mass called a tumor. Some types of liposarcoma stay in one place, growing larger as more cancer cells develop.
Other types can spread to different body parts when cancer cells break away from the main tumor. When cancer spreads elsewhere in the body, doctors call it metastatic cancer.
How DNA Changes Affect Cell Behavior:
- Makes cells multiply quickly
- Prevents natural cell death
- Causes tumor formation
- May allow cancer to spread
Scientists have not yet identified the specific causes of these DNA changes in liposarcoma. Research continues to explore what triggers these alterations in fat cells.
The behavior of liposarcoma varies depending on its type. Some forms grow slowly and stay contained, while others grow aggressively and may spread to distant organs and tissues.
