[Primary retroperitoneal tumors].

Two hundred and one patients with primary retroperitoneal tumors underwent surgery from 1957 to 1988. The tumors were found malignant in 113 patients (56%) and benign in 88 (44%). Abdominal mass and/or pain was the most common symptom (88%), with palpable abdominal mass in 91% of the patients. Complete resection was performed in 81% of the patients with benign tumors and 51% with malignant ones. Fourteen patients (24%) with malignant tumors were subjected to the excision of adjacent organs for the complete resection. The 5- and 10-years survival rates of the patients with benign tumors were 96% and 95% respectively. In patients with malignant tumors, the 5- and 10-year survival rates were 56% and 30% respectively for those undergoing complete resection, compared to 8% and 8% respectively for those undergoing partial resection or biopsy (P < 0.001). Partial resection with adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be beneficial to some of the patients with malignant tumors. Reoperation should always be attempted in patients suffering from recurrence.