title: Liposarcoma of Hypopharynx and Esophagus: a Unique Entity?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Liposarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in adults. It represents approximately 20 % of all mesenchymal malignancies. It most frequently involves retroperitoneum, trunk, and extremities. Hypopharyngeal and esophageal localization of liposarcoma is extremely rare.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a systematic review of literature and reported 26 and 33 cases of hypopharyngeal and esophageal liposarcoma. We analyzed natural history, imaging features, histology, treatment, and prognosis, with a specific focus to similarities and differences between tumors of hypopharynx and esophagus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hypopharyngeal and esophageal liposarcomas have more similarities than differences. Incidence has a peak at 6th and 7th decades. The diagnostic procedures are barium swallow, endoscopic examination, and CT/MR imaging. Well-differentiated liposarcoma represents the most frequent histological subtype. Surgical excision is the main treatment. Endoscopic resection can be useful for pedunculated tumors of hypopharynx and cervical esophagus. Differences between hypopharyngeal and esophageal liposarcoma are represented by local recurrence rate (greater for hypopharyngeal tumors), number of giant tumors, and time to recurrence (greater for esophageal tumors). Finally, liposarcomas of distal esophagus need more extended approaches.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liposarcomas of hypopharynx and cervical esophagus could be considered a unique pathological entity, with similar features and treatment options. Survival rate is dependent on histological type and location. Local recurrence is common, especially for hypopharyngeal liposarcoma, while the risk of lymph node or distant metastasis is very low. Patients should undergo regular examinations to rule out local recurrence, also for a long time, especially for esophageal tumors.
authors.affiliation: 1st ENT Division, Surgical Sciences Department, University of Turin, Via Genova 3, 10126, Turin, Italy. giuseppe.riva84@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1825-7635
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.affiliation: 1st ENT Division, Surgical Sciences Department, University of Turin, Via Genova 3, 10126, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sensini
authors.affiliation: 1st ENT Division, Surgical Sciences Department, University of Turin, Via Genova 3, 10126, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corvino
authors.affiliation: 1st ENT Division, Surgical Sciences Department, University of Turin, Via Genova 3, 10126, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garzaro
authors.affiliation: 1st ENT Division, Surgical Sciences Department, University of Turin, Via Genova 3, 10126, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pecorari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007013:Hypopharynx / Q000473:pathology*; D008080:Liposarcoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Esophageal cancer; Esophageal neoplasms; Hypopharyngeal cancer; Hypopharyngeal neoplasms; Liposarcoma