Rare Giant Pedunculated Liposarcoma of the Hypopharynx: Case Report and Review of Literature

Liposarcoma is considered the most common soft tissue sarcoma in adults. It represents approximately 20 % of all mesenchymal malignancies, and most frequently it involves the retroperitoneum, trunk, and extremities. Hypopharyngeal localization of liposarcoma is extremely rare.

We report a new rare case of giant pedunculated liposarcoma arising from the left antero-lateral wall of the hypopharyngeal-esophageal junction, and we present a complete review of the literature.

An 81-year-old man presented with a 5-month history of dysphagia and 30-kg weight loss, due to a giant pedunculated liposarcoma of the hypopharynx, which is resected with cervical approach. CT scan imaging revealed a 25-cm-long pedunculated heterogeneous mass with fat-like density originating from the anterior wall of hypopharyngeal-esophageal junction protruding into the lumen. The polypoid mass was identified as well as the stalk, and it was completely delivered through the cervical incision. Histopatological examination showed a dedifferentiated liposarcoma, without positive or close margins. No further chemoradiation therapy was performed due to the patient’s age, comorbidities, negative margins, and absence of distant metastases. Dysphagia solved 1 month after surgery. No evidence of tumor recurrence was seen in the 12 months following surgery.

When base of the tumor is located in hypopharynx or cervical portion of the esophagus, and tumor is not aggressive, cervical approach is better, irrespective of the tumor size, except for cases in which an endoscopic approach is feasible.