Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma : Microscopic Features

Significance of small foci of dedifferentiation in an atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcoma (ALT/WDL): Some experts have proposed that dedifferentiated foci be grossly visible (> 1 cm in size) before the term dedifferentiated liposarcoma can be applied. However, this has not been widely accepted. Moreover, it has been observed that even small foci of dedifferentiation can evolve into a fully dedifferentiated tumor when followed over a long course of time. The current recommendation is that ALT/WDL with small foci of dedifferentiation be signed out descriptively, indicating the size of the dedifferentiated focus.