Giant lipoma of the thenar--case study and contemporary approach to its aetiopathogenicity.

Abstract

Giant lipomas of the thenar are rare tumours of the adipose tissue of the hand, with a benign prognosis. Apart from the cosmetic problems they may cause, their most frequent complications include a compromise in functionality and pressure upon the nerves, mainly on the radial nerve. The first step in their management is their differential diagnosis from well-differentiated liposarcomas (WDLPS), as they require a different therapeutic approach. This step is completed with the aid of MRIs, biopsies and modern immunohistochemical methods, which offer high specificity and sensitivity. Our paper presents a case of giant lipoma of the thenar, with a review of the relevant literature, focusing on the disease's molecular genetics, which is a very important field of research today.