Path Image
Lipoblasts consist of preadipocytes, lipoblasts and small capillaries set against a myxoid stroma.
IMAGE DESCRIPTIONS

Histologically, lipoblastomas are composed of preadipocytes (spindled primitive mesenchymal cells with dark nuclei), lipoblasts and more mature adipocytes. The background stroma is myxoid, which can be quite abundant. This area of the lipoblast demonstrates a prominent proliferation of preadipocytes and scattered lipoblasts. Though not shown in this image, lipoblasts are generally lobulated, seperated by bands of fibrous stroma.

Preadipocytes (dark nuclei and spindled morphology) are admixed with lipoblasts (cytoplasm contains one or more large lipid vacuole) and small capillaries. Unlike myxoid liposarcoma, there is no nuclear atypia.

BACKGROUND

Lipoblastoma is basically the childhood equivalent of a lipoma. It comes in two forms: circumscribed (lipoblastoma) and diffuse (lipoblastomatosis). The circumscribed form is generally located in the superficial soft tissues on the upper and lower extremity. Lipoblastomatosis infiltrates the deeper tissues and has a greater tendency to recur. These lesions are generally benign and asymptomatic, however, in very rare instances, depend on the location and size of the tumor, it may compress critical structures such as the trachea or spinal cord.

The main entity on the differential diagnosis is myxoid liposarcoma, which can closely resemble lipoblastoma histologically as both entities demonstrate lipoblasts and spindled cells against a myxoid background. However, myxoid liposarcoma usually occurs in adults between 30-60, and should contain foci of nuclear atypia. Lipoblastomas are much more lobulated than myxoid liposarcomas and do not exhibit nuclear atypia.

Lipoblastomas also demonstrate a unique cytogenetic aberration at 8q11-13, resulting in rearrangement of the PLAG1 gene. Fusion genes such as HAS2/PLAG1 and COL1A2/PLAG1 have been identified. In contrast, myxoid liposarcomas have a characteristic t(12;16) translocation.1,2

CLINICAL

Occurs almost exclusively in young children before the age of 3. Very rarely seen in adolescents and adults. The circumscribed form has an average diameter of 5 cm and is found on the limbs.2 The diffuse form is generally larger and occurs in the deeper tissues. Lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis have been documented in a wide range of anatomic sites such as head, neck, trunk and retroperitoneum.1

TREATMENT

Excision with wide margins is recommended for the diffuse form of lipoblastoma.

PROGNOSIS

Excellent prognosis as the entity is benign. Recurrences range from 9%-22% and are generally associated with the diffuse form. Very rarely, the lesion may impinge on critical structures such as the trachea and spinal cord.

REFERENCES

1 Weiss SW, Goldblum JR. Enzinger. Enzinger and Weiss' Soft Tissue Tumors. 5th Ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2008: 452-5.

2 Fletcher CDM, ed. Diagnostic Histopathology of Tumors. 3rd Ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2007: 1530-1.

Last updated: 2009-10-20
For questions, comments or feedback on this case: editor@surgpath4u.com