Primary retroperitoneal sarcomas.

A retrospective analysis of 20 adult patients with primary retroperitoneal sarcomas demonstrated that most patients presented with pain and a palpable abdominal mass. Liposarcomas and leiomyosarcomas were the most common tumors. Seven of the 20 patients (35 percent) had complete tumor excision. Operative morbidity was 18 percent with no mortality. After complete resection, the 5 year survival rate was 43 percent. Thirteen patients underwent partial excision of tumor, with an operative morbidity rate of 29 percent and a mortality rate of 15 percent. No patient in our series lived more than 2 years after only partial excision. Anatomic restrictions to wide resection and local recurrence were the most important factors determining survival. Aggressive, complete surgical resection in treating primary retroperitoneal sarcomas is strongly recommended.