Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Malignant transformation in bone lipomas

  • Articles
  • Published:
Skeletal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This report presents four cases of presumed malignant transformation within intraosseous lipomas, one occurring in a stage I lesion and three in stage III lesions, according to my classification. These lesions demonstrated radiologic and histologic features of benign lipomas together with histologic fields of either malignant fibrous histiocytoma or liposarcoma. In two of the three patients who were followed up, the tumors were fatal despite amputation. Malignant transformation of a lipoma should be suspected when rapid bone destruction is seen in a stage I radiolucent lipoma. Malignant transformation of stage III lipomas could be mistaken for malignant transformation within bone infarcts.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abrahams TG, Hull M (1986) Case report 394: malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) arising in an infarct of bone. Skeletal Radiol 15:578

    Google Scholar 

  2. Arnold WH (1973) Hereditary bone dysplasia with sarcomatous degeneration. Ann Int Med 78:902

    Google Scholar 

  3. Campana R, Bertoni F, Bacchini P, Bacci G, Guerra A, Campanacci M (1984) Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of bone. The experience at the Rizzoli Institute: report of 90 cases. Cancer 54:177

    Google Scholar 

  4. Catto M, Stevens J (1963) Liposarcoma of bone. J Pathol Bacteriol 86:248

    Google Scholar 

  5. Dorfman HD, Norman A, Wolff H (1966) Fibrosarcoma complicating bone infarction in a caisson worker. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 48:528

    Google Scholar 

  6. Downey EF Jr, Worsham GF, Brower A (1982) Liposarcoma of bone with osteosarcomatous foci: case report and review of the literature. Skeletal Radiol 8:47

    Google Scholar 

  7. Frierson HF Jr, Fechner RE, Stallings RG, Wang G (1987) Malignant fibrous histiocytoma in bone infarct. Association with sickle cell trait and alcohol abuse. Cancer 59:496

    Google Scholar 

  8. Furey JG, Ferrer-Torells M, Reagan JW (1960) Fibrosarcoma arising at the site of bone infarcts. A report of two cases. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 42:802

    Google Scholar 

  9. Galli SJ, Weintraub HP, Proppe KH (1978) Malignant fibrous histiocytoma and pleomorphic sarcoma in association with medullary bone infarcts. Cancer 41:607

    Google Scholar 

  10. Heselson NG, Price SK, Mills EED, Conway SSM, Marks RK (1983) Two malignant fibrous histiocytomas in bone infarcts. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 65:1166

    Google Scholar 

  11. Huvos AG, Heilweil M, Bretsky SS (1985) The pathology of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of bone. A study of 130 patients. Am J Surg Pathol 9:853

    Google Scholar 

  12. Johnson LC, Vetter H, Putschar WGJ (1962) Sarcomas arising in bone cysts. Virchows Arch [A] 335:428

    Google Scholar 

  13. Kitano M, Iwasaki H, Yoh SS, Kuroda K, Hayaski K (1984) Malignant fibrous histiocytoma at site of bone infarction in association with DCS. Undersea Biomed Res 11:305

    Google Scholar 

  14. Larson SE, Lorentzon R, Boquist L (1975) Primary liposarcoma of bone. Acta Orthop Scand 46:869

    Google Scholar 

  15. Michael RH, Dorfman HD (1976) Malignant fibrous histiocytoma associated with bone infarcts. Clin Orthop 118:180

    Google Scholar 

  16. Milgram JW (1981) Intraosseous lipomas with reactive ossification in the proximal femur. Skeletal Radiol 7:1

    Google Scholar 

  17. Milgram JW (1988) Intraosseous lipomas: radiologic and pathologic manifestations. Radiology 167:155

    Google Scholar 

  18. Milgram JW (1988) Intraosseous lipomas. A clinicopathologic study of 66 cases. Clin Orthop 231:277

    Google Scholar 

  19. Milgram JW (1990) Radiologic and histologic pathology of nontumorous diseases of bones and joints, vol 2 Northbrock Publishing Company, Northbrock, JL

    Google Scholar 

  20. Mirra JM (1980) Bone tumors: diagnosis and treatment. J.B. Lippincott, Philadelphia, p 284

    Google Scholar 

  21. Mirra JM, Bullough PG, Marcove RC, Jacobs B, Huvos AG (1974) Malignant fibrous histiocytoma and osteosarcoma in association with bone infarcts. Report of four cases, two in caisson workers. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 56:932

    Google Scholar 

  22. Mirra JM, Gold RH, Marafiote R (1977) Malignant (fibrous) histiocytoma arising in association with a bone infarct in sickle cell disease: co-incidence or cause and effect? Cancer 39: 186

    Google Scholar 

  23. Pere P, Adolphe J, Delgotte C, Froment N, Gaucher A (1984) Osteonecroses epiphysaires, infarctus osseux multiples et histiocytome fibreux malin. Rev Rhum Mal Osteoartic 51:427

    Google Scholar 

  24. Retz LD Jr (1961) Primary liposarcoma of bone. Report of a case and review of the literature. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 43:123

    Google Scholar 

  25. Risser WH, Brody RS, Biery DN (1972) Bone infarctions associated with malignant bone tumors in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc l60:411

    Google Scholar 

  26. Ross CF, Hadfield G (1968) Primary osteoliposarcoma of bone (malignant mesenchymoma) report of a case. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 50:639

    Google Scholar 

  27. Sampson CC, Saunders EH, Green WE, Laurey JR (1960) Liposarcoma developing in a lipoma. Arch Pathol 69:506

    Google Scholar 

  28. Schajowicz F (1981) Tumors and tumorlike lesions of bone and joints. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, p 359

    Google Scholar 

  29. Schajowicz F, Cuevillas AR, Silberman FS (1966) Primary malignant mesenchymoma of bone. A new tumor entity. Cancer 19:1423

    Google Scholar 

  30. Siegmund H (1934) Lipoblastische Sarcomatose. Virchows Arch [A] 293:458

    Google Scholar 

  31. Stewart FW (1931) Primary liposarcoma of bone. Am J Pathol 7:87

    Google Scholar 

  32. Wilner D (1982) Radiology of bone tumors and allied disorders, vol 3. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, p 2766

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    James W. Milgram M.D.

Authors
  1. James W. Milgram M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Milgram, J.W. Malignant transformation in bone lipomas. Skeletal Radiol. 19, 347–352 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00193088

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00193088

Key words

Search

Navigation