Liposarcoma is cancer which happened in fat tissue. This cancer can appear on network fat in wholeparts of body, Howeverappear most often inarm,limbs,andstomach.
Liposarcoma is a rare disease. This disease can occur at any age. Even so, liposarcoma is more common in people aged 50-65 years.
Symptoms of Liposarcoma
At first people with liposarcoma may not feel any symptoms, but over time, the tumor will enlarge and cause certain symptoms.
Symptoms of liposarcoma vary, depending on the location where the cancer formed. Liposarcomas that appear on the arms and legs can cause lumps under the skin layer, causing pain and swelling, and decreased function of the arms or legs.
Unlike liposarcomas in the arms and legs, liposarcomas that form in the abdomen can cause sufferers to experience:
- Stomach pain and cramps
- Swelling of the stomach
- Constipation
- Feeling full faster than usual
- Blood appears in the stool
- Vomiting blood
When to go to the doctor
Ask your doctor if you find a lump on your body. These lumps can be a marker of liposarcoma or other diseases. Consult a doctor if you experience symptoms similar to those of liposarcoma.
If you have liposarcoma, check with your doctor regularly to monitor the progress of the disease and get the right treatment.
Causes of Liposarcoma
Liposarcoma occurs due to genetic changes (mutations) in fat tissue. The mutation causes the growth of cells that continue to divide, thus forming a tumor. Even so, it is not known exactly what causes this mutation.
There are a number of factors that are thought to cause a person to be more at risk of suffering from liposarcoma, including:
- Organ disorders
- Have had radiotherapy to treat cancer.
- Have a family history of liposarcoma or other cancers.
- Exposure to chemicals thought to cause cancer, for example vinyl chloride (material for making plastics), arsenic, dioxins (smoke from burning garbage), as well as insecticides and herbicides (weed killers).
Diagnosis of liposarcoma
Diagnosis is made by the doctor to find out the location of the liposarcoma and determine whether the tissue is cancerous or not. At the initial stage of the examination, the doctor will ask the patient's symptoms and perform a physical examination of the lumps that appear on the surface of the skin.
In addition, there are several supporting tests performed to diagnose liposarcoma, including:
- PimageThe doctor will ask the patient to undergo imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scan, and MRI. This examination will give a clear picture of the size and spread of the liposarcoma.
- BiopsyThe doctor will take some of the tumor tissue as a sample for examination in the laboratory.
Liposarcoma Treatment
Treatment of liposarcoma is based on the location and stage (grade of malignancy). Treatment for liposarcoma includes:
- Operation
Surgery is performed to remove all of the cancerous tissue. Surgery is the method most often used to treat liposarcoma.
- RadiotherapyThis procedure is done by using a special light to kill cancer cells. Radiotherapy can also be used to reduce the size of the tumor before it is surgically removed.
- ChemotherapyChemotherapy is done to kill cancer cells with drugs. Chemotherapy is given before or after surgery, and sometimes in conjunction with radiotherapy.
Complications of Liposarcoma
Liposarcoma is a malignant tumor, so it can spread to other parts of the body, such as tissues and vital organs around the tumor. The sooner it is detected and treated, the higher the cure for liposarcoma.
Liposarcoma Prevention
Liposarcoma can be prevented by avoiding triggering factors, such as exposure to pollutant fumes, herbicides, insecticides, and arsenic. In order not to be exposed to herbicides or insecticides, use personal protective equipment when in the work environment.
To avoid exposure to arsenic and other harmful pollutants, avoid inhaling cigarette smoke and polluting smoke, by wearing a mask. You should also not drink water from soil that has been contaminated, such as water around industrial areas or public landfills.