Abscess formation in recurrent liposarcomas of the abdomen and retroperitoneum: relevance to treatment.

Stimulated by the unexpected finding of gross abscesses in two cases of abdominal liposarcoma, we initiated a retrospective study to determine the incidence of this finding. Sixteen patients were analyzed, and correlations were made between histologic features and clinical course. Microscopic or macroscopic evidence of abscess was present in four cases. There appears to be an association between tumor necrosis or abscess and tumors with prognostically poor histology (e.g., pleomorphic tumors). Clinicians who treat patients with these tumors should be aware of the substantial risk of abscess and modify their therapy accordingly.