Retroperitoneal tumours--a ten years retrospective study

In a ten-year retrospective study (1985-95), 42 cases of retroperitoneal tumours were analysed. All cases were treated surgically. Among the relevant investigations CT scan and fine needle aspiration cytology were found to be most helpful to have a pre-operative idea regarding the best course of therapy. The highest incidence of retroperitoneal tumours were found in the 4th decade of life with roughly equal sex incidence. Malignant tumours were double in comparison to benign tumours and lymphoma was found to be the most common malignant tumour. Though complete resection should be the aim to treat them it may lead to sacrifice of other vital organs like kidney, spleen and part of large gut in advanced cases. Complication may be always for a heroic surgery leading to inadvertent injury to other structures, causing high mortality up to 19.1%.