mediastinum . primary liposarcoma of the Long term survival in non - encapsulated

An elderly woman presented with dyspnoea secondary to extensive mediastinal invasion by a primary well differentiated liposarcoma of the mediastinum. Five years after partial resection and postoperative radiotherapy (45 Gy) she is alive and well. To our knowledge, long term survival has not previously been reported for a non-encapsulated mediastinal liposarcoma treated by incomplete resection -and subsequent radiation therapy. (Thorax 1993;48: 1276-1277) Primary liposarcomas are relatively uncommon neoplasms, occurring most commonly in the lower extremities and retroperitoneum.1 We are aware of only 60 patients with primary liposarcoma in the mediastinum.1-' Only five of these patients, each with a well encapsulated tumour, have been reported as free of disease after surgical excision.3 Whenever possible, complete surgical exci1276 group.bmj.com on April 13, 2017 Published by http://thorax.bmj.com/ Downloaded from Long tem survival in non-encapsulated primary liposarcoma of the mediastinum