Large retroperitoneal soft tissue tumor: A cytopathological diagnosis

A 65-year-old male presented to the surgery outpatient department with complaints of abdominal pain, gradually increasing abdominal size and bilateral pedal edema for the past 8 months. On perabdominal examination, a large vague abdominal mass was found to be measuring approximately 30 cm × 25 cm with the upper pole extending up to the surface of liver and lower pole extending to the upper level of pelvic brim.

Further, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) abdomen revealed a large retroperitoneal mass lesion of size 31 cm × 22 cm × 20 cm with areas of fat density within and showed heterogeneous postcontrast enhancement causing displacement of right kidney, pancreas, and bowel loops, most likely suggestive of liposarcoma [Figure 1a].

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Figure 1

(a) Contrast-enhanced computed tomography abdomen showing a large retroperitoneal mass lesion of size 31 cm × 22 cm × 20 cm with areas of fat density within and revealing displacement of right kidney, pancreas, and bowel loops. (b) Highly cellular smear composed of fragments of oval to spindle-shaped cells embedded in myxoid matrix (Giemsa ×100). (c) Smear showing few binucleated, multinucleated bizzare cells along with atypical mitosis and lipoblast. [Pap ×200]. (d) Atypical lipoblasts having multilobated and indented nuclei with multiple vacuoles in the cytoplasm in a myxoid background (Giemsa ×400)

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Fine-needle aspiration cytology.(FNAC) of the abdominal mass was done from multiple sites which yielded thick cellular aspirate. Multiple smears prepared were air dried and fixed in 95% ethyl alcohol and subsequently stained with Giemsa and Papanicolaou stain, respectively.

QUIZ QUESTION

Q1: What is your interpretation?

1. Chordoma

2. Myxofibrosarcoma

3. Well-differentiated liposarcoma

4. Pleomorphic liposarcoma.

ANSWER

Ans 1: Option d – Pleomorphic liposarcoma (PLS).

Explanation

Smears examined showed high cellularity comprising highly pleomorphic malignant cells arranged in large sheets embedded in myxoid matrix, loosely cohesive clusters, and groups as well as many singly dispersed [Figure 1b]. The cells were round to oval and spindle-shaped with high nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, marked anisonucleosis, irregular nuclear membrane, coarse granular chromatin, prominent nucleoli, and scant to moderate amount of pale foamy cytoplasm [Figure 1c]. Few binucleated, multinucleated bizarre tumor cells and mitosis were also noted [Figure 1c]. Many scattered atypical/pleomorphic lipoblasts were also seen having multilobated, hyperchromatic, and indented nuclei with multiple vacuoles in the cytoplasm [Figure 1d]. Few inflammatory cells and myxoid matrix were also seen in the background. FNAC diagnosis given was of pleomorphic sarcoma showing atypical/pleomorphic lipoblasts, suggestive of PLS. Option a was ruled out as in chordoma, cells are highly pleomorphic with vacuolated, eosinophilic cytoplasm and myxoid matrix. It is also important to remember that chordoma is usually noted in sacrum, clivus, and vertebral region. In myxofibrosarcoma (option b), variable cellularity is seen and tumor cells are round to spindled with variable amount of cytoplasm in a myxoid granular to filamentous background. In myxofibrosarcoma, important finding is the presence of pseudolipoblasts and is commonly found in limb and girdle. Option d), Well-differentiated liposarcoma shows lipoma-like features, with the presence of scattered pleomorphic/atypical lipoblasts and are commonly found in deep soft tissues of lower extremities.

Exploratory laparotomy was done and the tumor was excised and was sent for histopathological examination. Grossly, a large encapsulated soft tissue mass was received, measuring 30 cm × 24 cm × 18 cm [Figure 2a]. The external surface was irregular, bosselated, and covered by fascia. Cut section of tumor showed variegated appearance with gray-white firm areas forming nodules and divided by fibrous septae along with mucoid areas, yellow and hemorrhagic areas. Histopathological examination was done [Figure 2b and c].

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Figure 2

(a) Gross image of the large encapsulated soft tissue mass, measuring 30 cm × 24 cm × 18 cm and showing irregular and bosselated surface covered by fascia. (b and c) Sections showing cells with moderate to marked pleomorphism including multinucleated cells, atypical lipoblasts in a myxoid background (H and E, ×200)

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Q2: What is your interpretation after overall CECT, cytological, and histopathological examination:

1. Atypical lipoma

2. Well-differentiated liposarcoma

3. Pleomorphic Liposarcoma (PLS)

4. Myxoid liposarcoma.

Ans 2: option c – Pleopmorphic liposarcoma (PLS).

DISCUSSION

Liposarcoma is one of the most common soft tissue tumors with peak incidence noted in 5^th-6^th decade of life.[1] Usually, tumor size ranges from 5 to 10 cm; however, larger tumors have also been described as was noted in our case.[2] On CECT, the appearance of liposarcomas varies from a predominantly fat-containing lesion to a solid mass.[3] The heterogeneity of the lesion is according to the extent of necrosis, calcification, vascularity, cystic change, and soft tissue component of liposarcomas.[4]

Based on the clinicopathologic and cytogenetic studies, liposarcomas are divided into well-differentiated, dedifferentiated liposarcoma, myxoid/round cell liposarcoma, and PLS. PLS is the rarest subtype, accounting for only 5%–10% of all liposarcomas.[5] The most frequent location of PLS is lower or upper extremity. Other rare sites reported are lung, breast, retrotonsillar fossa, bone, parotid, mediastinum.[3] Morphological hallmark is the recognition of atypical/pleomorphic lipoblasts and although shows positive immunohistochemistry for S100, the latter does not play a significant role in recognizing these.

On cytology, PLS appears nondistinctive, high-grade pleomorphic, or spindle cell sarcoma. Cytomorphologically, the main diagnostic clue is the presence of atypical/pleomorphic multivacuolated lipoblasts. It should be kept in mind that aspirates from chordoma will show lipoblast-like cells, however have distinct clinical localization which avoids misdiagnosis in most instances.[5] The epithelioid variant of PLS may mimic renal cell carcinoma or adrenal cortical carcinoma.

Cytogenetics plays a significant role in subtyping the liposarcomas. Well-differentiated and dedifferentiated liposarcomas show amplification of Murine double minute 2 homolog (MDM 2) and CDK4 genes.[6789] These molecular alterations help in distinguishing well-differentiated liposarcoma from benign adipose tumors and dedifferentiated liposarcomas from other poorly differentiated sarcomas. Myxoid liposarcoma shows DNA damage - inducible transcript 3 (DD1T3) rearrangements.[6789] PLS comprise only 5% of all liposarcoma, do not show any specific aberration, and can be differentiated from myxofibrosarcoma only by the presence of pleomorphic lipoblasts.[6] However, molecular studies in the present case could not be done due to unavailability and financial constraints.

In a review by Fletcher et al.,[6] it was concluded that adequate histopathological gross sampling is essential to show the presence of lipoblastic differentiation and even a focal collection of pleomorphic lipoblasts can help in labeling the tumor as PLS. In the present case, since the tumor was very large in size, it was only after extensive grossing from various areas that revealed pleomorphic lipoblasts.

Surgical resection is the basic treatment modality for liposarcoma along with adequate resection of the margins. These tumors are more radiosensitive when compared to other sarcomas. The application of adjuvant chemotherapy has been tried in many research centers.[7] PLS has a propensity for recurrence and metastasis.[8] Recurrence rate of 15%–36% has been noted in numerous studies over a period of 10–30 years of follow-up.[9]

ADDITIONAL CME QUESTIONS

Q3: What are the specific molecular alterations in well-differentiated and dedifferentiated liposarcoma?

1. MDM2 and DD1T3

2. BRCA2 and MDM2

3. DD1T3 and CDK4

4. CDK4 and GLI.

Ans: 3a – MDM 2 homolog amplification is seen in well-differentiated and dedifferentiated liposarcoma and DNA DD1T3 rearrangements in myxoid liposarcoma. Unlike other subtypes of liposarcoma, PLS fails to show a specific molecular defect. CDK4 and GLI mutation are seen in well-differentiated liposarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

Q4: Floret cells are usually seen in?

1. Neurofibroma

2. Myxofibrosarcoma

3. Atypical/Pleomorphic Lipoma (PL)

4. Meningioma.

Ans: 4c – Floret cells are bizarre, multinucleated cells with wreath-like hyperchromatic nuclei. These are seen in PL. PL is a circumscribed tumor with the presence of mature adipocytes admixed with spindle cells and thick bright eosinophilic collagen bundles. No lipoblasts or prominent vascularity is seen. PL shows immunoreactivity for CD34 and vimentin.

Floret cells can also be noted in neurofibromas and well-differentiated liposarcoma. These cells are not seen in myxofibrosarcoma and meningioma.

SUMMARY

Giant soft tissue tumors may be challenging, often require extensive grossing and sectioning. At times, morphology may be the key to diagnosis with limited role of immunohistochemistry. Accurate diagnosis of PLS at an unusual site can be confidently made on FNAC by demonstration of atypical/pleomorphic lipoblast.

COMPETING INTEREST STATEMENT BY ALL THE AUTHORS

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

AUTHORSHIP STATEMENTS BY ALL AUTHORS

All authors of this article declare that we qualify for authorship as defined by ICMJE. Each author has participated sufficiently in work and takes public responsibility for appropriateness of content of this article.

ETHIC STATEMENT BY ALL AUTHORS

As this is a quiz case, this case does not require approval from the Institutional Review Board.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS (in alphabetic order)

• CECT - Contrast enhanced computed tomography

• IHC - Immunohistochemistry

• Pap - Papanicolaou

• PLS - Pleomorphic liposarcoma

• FNAC - Fine needle aspiration cytology.

EDITORIAL/PEER-REVIEW STATEMENT

To ensure the integrity and highest quality of CytoJournal publications, the review process of this manuscript was conducted under a double-blind model (the authors are blinded for reviewers and vice versa) through automatic online system.