Surgical management of giant recurrent retroperitoneal liposarcoma: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction: Liposarcoma is a rare, primary, malignant mesenchymal tumor. It represents ∼7% of all mesenchymal sarcomas and 1% of all cancers. Their incidence does not exceed to 2.5 cases/million inhabitants/year. This tumor is locally invasive, diagnosed at a late stage, and can reach a significant size and weight, resulting in a locally advanced tumor. Case presentation: A 59-year-old female patient consulting for a large abdominal mass. The abdominal computed tomography showed three retroperitoneal masses, and the surgical exploration revealed a huge process in the retroperitoneal cavity, which takes the left renal compartment, and the left colon. The intervention consisted of a mono-bloc excision of the mass taking the spleen, the left renal compartment, and the left colon with colonic anastomosis. The histological examination concluded the existence of a well-differentiated myxoid liposarcoma of grade I, the postoperative follow-up was simple. One year later, she underwent an excision of a recurrence of the same retroperitoneal location, but of a pleomorphic cell histological type of grade II according to the FNCLCC classification. We review the literature, the pathological, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects of this tumor. Discussion: Retroperitoneal liposarcoma is a rare tumor. Its gravity is due to an often-late diagnosis, a complete imaging workup including ultrasound, computed tomography and often MRI is necessary preoperatively to determine the relationship with the different organs. The definitive diagnosis is histological, surgery is the most effective treatment and can be extended to neighboring organs. the frequency of recurrence requires particular surveillance. Conclusions: We highlight the importance of radical surgical excision to avoid retroperitoneal liposarcoma tumor complications and to minimize the recurrence risk.