Liposarcoma: molecular genetics and therapeutics.

[pleomorphic liposarcoma]

Sarcomas are a group of heterogeneous tumours with varying genetic basis . Cytogenetic abnormalities range from distinct genomic rearrangements such as pathognomonic translocation events and common chromosomal amplification or loss , to more complex rearrangements involving multiple chromosomes . The different subtypes of liposarcoma are spread across this spectrum and constitute an interesting tumour type for molecular review . This paper will outline molecular pathogenesis of the three main subtypes of liposarcoma : well-differentiated /dedifferentiated , myxoid /round cell , and pleomorphic liposarcoma . Both the molecular basis and future avenues for therapeutic intervention will be discussed .