Lipoblast

A lipoblast is a precursor cell to a mature adipocyte (fat cell). Lipoblasts are characterized by their unilocular or multilocular lipid droplets, their indented nuclei, and their variable degree of differentiation. They are typically identified through histological examination.

Lipoblasts are most notably associated with liposarcomas, which are malignant tumors of fat tissue. The presence of lipoblasts is a key diagnostic feature in identifying these tumors. The morphology of lipoblasts can vary, and they can resemble normal preadipocytes, making diagnosis challenging. Well-differentiated liposarcomas often contain numerous lipoblasts, while poorly differentiated tumors may have fewer or more atypical lipoblasts. The identification and classification of lipoblasts within a tumor sample are important for determining the grade and prognosis of the liposarcoma.