[Clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcome of retroperitoneal liposarcoma]

Six patients with retroperitoneal liposarcoma were referred to our institution and retrospectively analyzed. Clinicopathological factors, initial treatment, postoperative recurrence, treatment, disease-free survival, and overall survival were investigated. Median age was 67 years and the male to female ratio was 0.5. Every patient underwent a surgical procedure as an initial treatment. Maximum tumor diameter was 190 mm (range, 100-250 mm). Three patients had local excisions, whereas the remaining 3 had extended surgery. Histological classification included well-differentiated type in 3, dedifferentiated type in 2, and mucinous type in 1. Three patients developed recurrence (local, n=3; hematogeneous, n=2). Local recurrence was excised but the disease relapsed in 2 patients. Median disease-free survival period was 21 months and 3-year survival rate was 62.5%. Since surgical resection remains the only promising treatment for liposarcoma, total removal of the tumor with negative surgical margins is mandatory. Wide resection, including the neighboring organs, should be performed without hesitation in selected cases.