Contemporary management of lipoblastoma.
OBJECTIVE
Lipoblastoma is a rare, benign, adipose tissue tumor. We report the largest single institution experience managing these uncommon neoplasms.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 32 cases of lipoblastoma entered in the pathology database at our institution between January 1991 and August 2005. We conducted a comprehensive literature review of lipoblastoma and summarized the results of the largest series published.


RESULTS
Most patients presented with an enlarging, palpable, firm, nontender, mobile mass. The male-to-female ratio was 1.9:1. The anatomical distribution was trunk (n = 12), extremity (n = 12), groin (n = 5), and neck (n = 3). Average age at resection was 2.8 years (range, 2.6 months to 12 years). Thirty-one cases were completely excised, although 1 patient underwent staged partial excision to preserve nerve function. Chromosomal analysis performed in selected patients revealed characteristic aberrations in chromosome 8. Complications included keloid formation (n = 3), wound infection/dehiscence (n = 2), wound seroma (n = 1), and transient brachial plexus neurapraxia (n = 1). Average follow-up was 7.4 months (range, 1 day to 6.5 years); 2 patients were lost to follow-up. There were no recurrences.


CONCLUSIONS
A staged approach with meticulous sparing of the neurovascular bundle provides excellent functional outcome for patients with large tumors. Nonmutilating surgical excision is the treatment of choice.
Speer
Allison L
AL
Department of Surgery at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
Schofield
Deborah E
DE
Wang
Kasper S
KS
Shin
Cathy E
CE
Stein
James E
JE
Shaul
Donald B
DB
Mahour
G Hossein
GH
Ford
Henri R
HR
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018205:Neoplasms, Adipose Tissue / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*