[Retroperitoneal tumors and surgery of the great vessels]

The great vessels have long been considered as the limiting point for exeresis of abdominal tumors. We report eleven retroperitoneal tumors which led to more or less extensive vascular involvement. There were two benign tumors (neurofibroma, angiolymphoid tumor), 6 primary malignant tumors (liposarcoma, schwannosarcoma, corticoadrenal carcinoma, leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava, leiomyosarcoma of the aorta, hemangiopericytoma) and 3 secondary malignant tumors (melanosarcoma, papillary cystadenocarcinoma, malignant germ cell tumor). Vascular surgery included mobilisation of the aorta or vena cava or total replacement with a prosthesis. There were no major complications and organ resection was limited to that required by tumor invasion. Despite a macroscopically satisfactory resection slice in all cases, local recurrence of malignant tumors was the rule leading to short term mortality (mean survival 30 months for primary sarcomas and 35 days for secondary forms). The therapeutic decision after careful CT and MRI word-up requires a discussion between the radiology, surgery and oncology teams. When the great vessels are involved, advice from a vascular surgeon should be acquired.