Liposarcoma of the retropharyngeal space

Abstract

Liposarcoma is a common soft tissue malignancy that occurs infrequently in the head and neck. Liposarcoma of the retropharynx is exceptionally rare, only four cases being described in the literature. We present a case in which retropharyngeal liposarcoma occurred in a patient who had had multiple previous subcutaneous lipomas excised. This paper explores this very unusual presentation and discusses the difficulties in the diagnosis and management of this rare tumour.