What is a pleomorphic sarcoma?

Overview. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is a rare type of cancer that begins mostly in the soft tissues of the body. Soft tissues connect, support and surround other body structures. UPS usually occurs in the arms or legs. Less often it can happen in the area behind the abdominal organs (retroperitoneum).

How aggressive is pleomorphic sarcoma?

Sarcomas account for less than 1% of all cancers. Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma, formerly called Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma, is a rare subtype identified by a lack specific immunohistochemical markers for a specific lineage of differentiation. These soft tissue tumors are aggressive and rapidly enlarge.

Is undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma curable?

Summary. MFH is a curable disease. The term “Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma” has been changed by the WHO to Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma Not Otherwise Specified. The mainstays of treatment for MFH are complete surgical excision most often supplemented with adjuvant radiation therapy.

Is pleomorphic dermal sarcoma cancer?

Pleomorphic dermal sarcoma and atypical fibroxanthomas are closely related and likely part of the same disease spectrum. Although a rare cancer, it is important not to miss this diagnosis and follow-up patients due to their potential metastatic risk.

What does pleomorphic mean?

Pleomorphic is a word pathologists use to describe a group of cells that are very different from each other in either size, shape, or colour. For example, the cells in a tissue sample would be described as pleomorphic if some of the cells in a tissue sample were small while other were very large.

What type of sarcoma is pleomorphic?

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), previously called malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), is a soft tissue sarcoma (STS) that can occur anywhere in the body, but it usually occurs in the extremities (especially the thighs) or back of the abdomen (see the image below).

How is undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma treated?

Treatment for undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma usually involves surgery to remove the cancer cells. Other options include radiation therapy and drug treatments (systemic therapies), such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

What is a pleomorphic cell?

What are pleomorphic features?

Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma was first described in 1987 by Page6 as a variant of classical invasive lobular carcinoma. It is characterised by a classical growth pattern, but has marked nuclear atypia and frequently shows a plasmacytoid, histiocytoid or apocrine morphological appearance.

What is pleomorphic shape?

Hint: Pleomorphism refers to having different shapes. Some species of bacteria have varied shapes because of the absence of cell walls. Complete Answer: – The different shapes are – like club-shaped, curved, coccoid and filamentous. The most common example that can be considered is the Corynebacterium spp.

What does it mean to have undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma?

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), formerly referred to as malignant fibrous histiocytoma, is a type of soft tissue cancer. The word “undifferentiated” in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma means that the cells don’t resemble the body tissues in which they develop.

What kind of soft tissue cancer is undifferentiated?

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), formerly referred to as malignant fibrous histiocytoma, is a type of soft tissue cancer.

How old do you have to be to get pleomorphic sarcoma?

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas are more commonly in people aged 60 to 70. They can affect any part of the body, but most commonly develop in the legs and arms. This is a common type of soft tissue sarcoma. It usually develops in the arms, legs and central part of the body (the trunk) in older people.

What kind of Doctor do you see for pleomorphic sarcoma?

If your family doctor suspects you have undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, you’ll likely be referred to a cancer doctor (oncologist) who specializes in sarcomas. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma is rare and often requires complex care.