Retroperitoneal sarcomas. An analysis of 32 cases.

Retroperitoneal sarcoma was treated in 32 patients in 1970-1986. The dominant initial symptom was pain (63%) and the most common clinical finding was a palpable mass (75%). Primary radical resection was possible in 16 cases, but the tumor recurred in 14 after 3-33 months. Repeated radical or palliative surgery was possible in most patients, with altogether 57 tumor resections in 23 patients. The postoperative mortality was 3.5%. The cumulative 5-year survival rate was 28%, but when the primary resection was radical the figure rose to 46%. Periodic computed tomographic scanning and an aggressive surgical approach in recurrence of tumor can be expected to enhance the prognosis.