A surgical approach to liposarcoma with retroperitoneal location: A case report and literature review

Liposarcoma with retroperitoneal location is a rare malignant tumor that poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its often asymptomatic nature in early stages and potential for substantial growth before detection.

We present the case of a 46-year-old female patient who experienced a 7-year history of intermittent left flank pain and was found to have a large, well-defined abdominal mass.

Urgent computed tomography scans revealed a retroperitoneal mass with characteristics suggestive of liposarcoma. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis, showing features of both well-differentiated and dedifferentiated liposarcoma.

The patient underwent successful surgical resection of the mass, which measured 18 × 16 × 10 cm.

The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery and remained disease-free during the 6-month follow-up period, demonstrating the effectiveness of timely surgical intervention.

This case underscores the importance of accurate diagnosis and complete surgical resection in managing liposarcoma with retroperitoneal location. The high rate of local recurrence necessitates careful follow-up and consideration of adjuvant therapies. Further research is warranted to explore the optimal treatment strategies for recurrent cases.