[The treatment of retroperitoneal fibrosis. Report of personal experience with 17 cases].

Between 1974 and 1988 17 patients with retroperitoneal fibrosis were seen in our hospital. 9 patients received medical and surgical treatment: first ureterolysis with intraperitoneal displacement following an immunosuppressive therapy. 6 patients received only immunosuppressive therapy. 1 patient only received surgical treatment. 1 patient showed spontaneous remission. The results of our study confirm that the combined surgical and medical treatment is a good therapy of retroperitoneal fibrosis. An effective treatment with immunosuppressive drug therapy alone is possible in well-chosen patients.