Overview
Liposarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in fat cells. It belongs to a group of cancers called soft tissue sarcomas, which grow in the connective tissues of the body — things like fat, muscle, and blood vessels. Liposarcoma most often develops deep inside the body, especially in the thigh, behind the knee, or in the abdomen (belly area). Because it grows in deep tissue, it can become quite large before a person notices it. There are several subtypes of liposarcoma, including well-differentiated, dedifferentiated, myxoid, pleomorphic, and myxoid pleomorphic liposarcoma. Each subtype behaves differently and requires a slightly different treatment approach. Symptoms depend on where the tumor is located. A growing lump or swelling is the most common sign. If the tumor is in the abdomen, it may cause belly pain, a feeling of fullness, or digestive problems. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumor, often combined with radiation therapy. Some subtypes respond to chemotherapy. Newer targeted therapies and immunotherapy options are being studied in clinical trials. The outlook varies widely depending on the subtype, size, and location of the tumor, as well as how early it is caught. With proper treatment at a specialized sarcoma center, many patients can achieve long-term control of the disease.
Key symptoms:
A painless or mildly painful lump or swelling, often deep in the thigh or abdomenA growing mass that may feel firm or softAbdominal pain or discomfortFeeling full quickly when eatingUnexplained weight lossSwelling or heaviness in a limbDifficulty moving a nearby jointNausea or vomiting if the tumor presses on the digestive tractFatigueConstipation or changes in bowel habits if the tumor is in the belly
Clinical phenotype terms (9)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
9 eventsPower Life Sciences Inc.
Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association
Ascentage Pharma Group Inc. — PHASE1, PHASE2
The Netherlands Cancer Institute
Pfizer — PHASE2
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — PHASE2
OHSU Knight Cancer Institute — PHASE1
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Liposarcoma.
8 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Liposarcoma.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Liposarcoma.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Liposarcoma
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: APG-115 in Combination With PD-1 Inhibitor in Patients With Advanced Liposarcoma or Advanced Solid Tumors
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Liposarcoma
New recruiting trial: Genomic Risk in Retroperitoneal Sarcoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Liposarcoma
New recruiting trial: Prospective Study Evaluating the Treatment Outcomes for Localised Recurrent, Resectable Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Liposarcoma
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What specific subtype of liposarcoma do I have, and how does that affect my treatment options and prognosis?,Should my tumor tissue be tested for MDM2 amplification or other genetic markers, and what would those results mean for my treatment?,Is surgery possible, and what are the chances of getting clear margins?,Should I be treated at a specialized sarcoma center, and can you refer me to one?,Are there clinical trials I might be eligible for, especially for targeted therapies?,How often will I need follow-up imaging, and what are the signs that the cancer has come back?,What support services — such as physical therapy, nutrition counseling, or mental health support — are available to me during and after treatment?
Common questions about Liposarcoma
What is Liposarcoma?
Liposarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in fat cells. It belongs to a group of cancers called soft tissue sarcomas, which grow in the connective tissues of the body — things like fat, muscle, and blood vessels. Liposarcoma most often develops deep inside the body, especially in the thigh, behind the knee, or in the abdomen (belly area). Because it grows in deep tissue, it can become quite large before a person notices it. There are several subtypes of liposarcoma, including well-differentiated, dedifferentiated, myxoid, pleomorphic, and myxoid pleomorphic liposarcoma. Each subtype behaves
How is Liposarcoma inherited?
Liposarcoma follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Liposarcoma typically begin?
Typical onset of Liposarcoma is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Liposarcoma?
Yes — 8 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Liposarcoma on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Liposarcoma?
23 specialists and care centers treating Liposarcoma are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.