Giant retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma. Multiorgan block removal.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Retroperitoneal tumors are uncommon, often malignant, and locally aggressive, frequently affecting women in their fifth decade.
• Nonspecific symptoms like abdominal pain and palpable mass complicate early diagnosis.
• Computed tomography (CT) and biopsy are crucial diagnostic tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case of retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma and discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
• To review the current understanding of retroperitoneal tumors, their management, and prognosis.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of a 67-year-old male with back pain and fever.
• Abdominal imaging revealed a large retroperitoneal mass.
• Diagnosis confirmed via endoscopy with biopsy and subsequent surgical resection and pathological examination.

Main Results:

• A 15cm retroperitoneal mass was identified, diagnosed as a well-differentiated leiomyosarcoma.
• Surgical resection required multiorgan involvement.
• Adjuvant radiotherapy was initiated, but liver metastases were detected subsequently.

Conclusions:

• Surgery is the sole curative option for retroperitoneal sarcomas, often necessitating multivisceral resection.
• Adjuvant therapies (chemotherapy, radiotherapy) have not demonstrated significant impact on survival or quality of life.
• Locoregional recurrence is a major prognostic factor, with a high rate of patients requiring repeat surgery.