[Retroperitoneal fibrosarcoma. Apropos of a case].

OBJECTIVES

To report one case of retroperitoneal fibrosarcoma in a 45 year-old caucasian patient cared for at the Public Health System hospitals in Republic of Cuba.

METHODS

Blood analysis showed increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and moderate anemia. Intravenous urography showed that left kidney was displaced towards midline but presented a good contrast uptake and excretion. Renal ultrasound discovered a large hyperechogenic mass with internal calcifications. CT scan confirmed a left flank tumor with internal necrosis which displaced the kidney. Complete tumour resection was performed confirmatory of the histological diagnosis of retroperitoneal fibrosarcoma. Postoperative chemotherapy was administered.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Four months after surgery patient presented with severe lumbar-abdominal pain; abdominal ultrasound showed retroperitoneal and intraperitoneal recurrences; patient have a sudden death after a dyspnea episode one month later. Necropsy revealed right pulmonary thromboembolism, abdominal ganglionar metastases and retroperitoneal tumour extension. Our experience confirms the aggressiveness of this tumours and their tendency to local recurrence.