Sarcomas involving the abdominal and pelvic cavity.

The principles of management of all sarcomas that involve the abdominal and pelvic cavity are presented. The anatomic sites for the primary malignancy include retroperitoneal sarcomas, pelvic side-wall sarcomas, sarcomas arising from the abdominal viscera, and sarcomas arising from the pelvic organs. All histologic types of sarcomas may be considered together when therapeutic options are being discussed. This presentation stresses surgical removal with an adequate margin of resection as the principal goal of management. The curative treatment of these cancers places great emphasis on the surgeon's knowledge of anatomy, technical skills, innovation, and surgical courage. Systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy have not shown reproducible efficacy. Complete resection in the absence of tumor spillage remains the only reliable treatment option. Possible benefits of induction chemotherapy and intraperitoneal chemotherapy using cisplatin and doxorubicin in the early postoperative period are presented.