Retroperitoneal sarcoma treated by surgery.

A retrospective analysis of extensive surgery with resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma and total or partial resection of adjacent organs in 15 patients is presented. Dominating symptoms were a palpable mass (80%). The tumor was felt in all patients. In 9 of 10 patients, ultrasonography showed a solid tumor with retroperitoneal location. In 14 patients (93%) the tumor was removed, in 11 of them adjacent organs also. Five of the patients were subjected to more than one operation because of tumor recurrence. Two patients died postoperatively. Six patients are alive without tumor recurrence; and three, with recurrence 18 to 62 months after the first operation. Four patients died 5--24 months after primary operation. In seven patients (50%), the tumor recurred locally. Surgery for recurrent tumor was beneficial. Complete surgical removal provides the most effective therapeutic approach. Routine second-look operation within a year after primary surgery may be a way to improve the results. Adjuvant cytostatic therapy could be considered.