Giant lipomatous tumors of the upper extremities--a series of 8 consecutive cases.

We present a series of eight consecutive patients evaluated in our department from 2002 to 2007 with giant lipomatous tumors (as defined in medical studies as greater than 5 cm) of upper extremities. There were three male and five female, ranged in age from 17 to 77 years (mean age of 55). The tumor's size ranged from 5 to 34 cm. All patients underwent total excision of the tumors with free margins. All specimens were sent to pathology: seven patients had benign tumors and one patient had liposarcoma. There were no recurrences of the tumors. Appropriate preoperative evaluation and complete surgical excision are mandatory for successful treatment of these tumors.