title: Pseudosarcoma: massive localized lymphedema of the morbidly obese.
abstract: Massive localized lymphedema is a term used to describe a benign overgrowth of lymphoproliferative tissue in morbidly obese patients, which is characterized by fibrotic and edematous fibroadipose tissue. Because of its large size and similar appearance to sarcomas, it has often been termed a pseudosarcoma. Patients tend to seek treatment only when the masses reach a sufficient size to alter their activities of daily living or have problems with excoriation or wound breakdown. Resection is indicated in these cases or if there is any question as to underlying malignancy of the lesion. Although recurrence is common, overall prognosis is good, with only anecdotal reports of transformation to angiosarcoma in the literature. We report a patient afflicted with this unique disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Trauma Surgery, York Hospital, York, PA 17405, USA. parvizmd75@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Parviz
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goshtasby
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Nikhilesh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Agarwal
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013848:Thigh