DIAGNOSIS AND SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF RETROPERITONEAL TUMORS

The authors examine the various techniques for diagnosing Retroperiton eal Tumours (RPT) and analyse the results of the surgical treatment pe rformed. Between March 1987 and February 1991, 20 patients with RPT (6 benign and 14 malignant forms) were observed in our Institution. CT a nd NMR revealed more diagnostic accuracy than other techniques (100%), while NMR had greater accuracy than CT in predictly resectability pre operatively (100% vs, 80.0%, respectively), A total of 26 laparotomies were performed: 20 for primary neoplasms and 6 for recurrent tumours. Exeresis of the mass was performed in 18/20 (90%) patients. Mean foll ow-up was 57.6 months (84-36). The benign forms had no recurrence. In malignant cases the disease recurred in 58.3% of the cases after an in terval varying from 10 to 59 months. Overall mean survival of the 12 p atients with malignant tumours subjected to resection was 58.3%. The 1 - and 3-year survival rates were 91.7% and 58.3% respectively, Prognos is in malignant RPT is still very poor.