Lipoblastomas are rare, benign, encapsulated tumors arising from embryonic white fat.
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Epidemiology
Lipoblastomas occur primarily in infancy and early childhood (more than 90% before age 3 years).
Clinical presentation
May present as a rapidly enlarging mass 4. It most often occurs in the extremities and trunk, although it can be seen in other areas 1. The entity was originally described as an infiltrating anterior chest wall mass.
Pathology
Location
Classification
The WHO classification of tumors of soft tissue categorizes this entity under adipocytic tumors.
Radiographic features
Imaging features are non-specific. Lipoblastoma is classically a predominantly fatty mass with well-defined margins. However, it may have myxoid components that predominate and that can also be enhancing.
Treatment and prognosis
Lipoblastomas have traditionally been treated with excision, although this practice has been called into question. There is a recurrence rate of up to 20% with no recorded cases of metastasis. Some cases have matured into lipomas 3.
Differential diagnosis
Lipoblastomas can look very much like a liposarcoma, however liposarcoma is extremely rare in children (0.08% occur under age 10 years) 2.