Adipocytic tumors

Abstract

Adipocytic tumors form a significant proportion of all benign and malignant musculoskeletal masses. This chapter focuses on the pathophysiology and clinical and imaging characteristics of the different benign and malignant subtypes presented according to the current WHO classification (Fletcher et al., World health organisation classification of tumours of soft tissue and bone, 4th edn. IARC Press, Lyon, 2013). MRI is emphasized throughout as this imaging technique, in particular, is most useful in this tumor group due to its ability to specifically characterize normal adipose tissue.