Dedifferentiated liposarcoma of transverse colon: a case report and review of the literature

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDL) is an aggressive subtype of liposarcoma that rarely arises within the abdominal cavity. We describe the case of a 71-year-old female incidental transverse colon mass suspicious for colorectal cancer. Pre-operative biopsy at colonoscopy was not possible due to the lesion's extraluminal location; however, complete resection was achieved through left hemicolectomy. Histology confirmed DDL. Review of the literature found four additional cases of DDL in the transverse colon. Clinical presentation, management, and follow-up were reviewed, illustrating poor outcomes; three of the five cases died within 3 years of surgery. DDL is associated with higher rates of local recurrence, metastasis, and mortality compared to well-differentiated liposarcomas. While limited by its rarity, DDL in the transverse colon appears to follow similarly poor outcomes.