Lipoblastoma

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Lipoblastoma
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Soft, painless mass
Complications	Rarely, compression of adjacent structures
Onset	Typically in children under 3 years old
Duration
Types	Lipoblastoma, Lipoblastomatosis
Causes	Unknown
Risks
Diagnosis	Histopathology, Imaging studies
Differential diagnosis	Lipoma, Myxoid liposarcoma, Hibernoma
Prevention
Treatment	Surgical excision
Medication
Prognosis	Excellent with complete excision
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Lipoblastoma is a rare benign tumor of embryonal white fat that typically occurs in infants and young children. It is characterized by the proliferation of lipoblasts, which are immature fat cells. Lipoblastoma is distinct from other types of adipose tissue tumors due to its unique histological features and clinical presentation.

Clinical Presentation

Lipoblastomas usually present as a soft, painless mass that can occur in various parts of the body, although they are most commonly found in the extremities and trunk. The tumor is typically well-circumscribed and can vary in size. Due to its benign nature, lipoblastoma does not metastasize, but it can grow rapidly, which may cause discomfort or functional impairment depending on its location.

Pathology

Lipoblast features, annotated

Histologically, lipoblastoma is composed of immature adipocytes, known as lipoblasts, which are embedded in a myxoid stroma. The tumor may also contain mature adipocytes and a network of capillaries. The presence of lipoblasts is a key diagnostic feature, distinguishing lipoblastoma from other adipose tissue tumors such as lipoma or myxoid liposarcoma.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of lipoblastoma is primarily based on histological examination of the tumor tissue. Imaging studies such as ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan may be used to assess the extent of the tumor and its relationship to surrounding structures. However, definitive diagnosis requires a biopsy and microscopic evaluation.

Treatment

The standard treatment for lipoblastoma is surgical excision. Complete removal of the tumor is usually curative, and recurrence is rare if the tumor is entirely excised. In cases where the tumor is not completely removed, there is a risk of recurrence, necessitating further surgical intervention.

Prognosis

The prognosis for patients with lipoblastoma is excellent, given its benign nature. With appropriate surgical management, most patients experience complete resolution of the condition without long-term complications.

See also

• Lipoma
• Liposarcoma
• Adipose tissue
• Benign tumor