Retroperitoneal liposarcoma: Case report

Abstract

Retroperitoneal neoplasms pose a challenge for healthcare professionals, both in terms of diagnosis and treatment, due to their low frequency, silent nature, prognosis, and progression. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma is one of the most common; it is a malignant tumor of mesodermal origin derived from adipose tissue. It can reach enormous proportions. It grows slowly, and its most common symptom is nonspecific abdominal pain and increased abdominal girth. Treatment involves radical surgery, and complete resection is essential for local control of the disease. Due to its rarity, there are insufficient reports in the national and international literature, and no cases have been reported at the Héroes del Baire General Teaching Hospital in the Special Municipality of Isla de la Juventud. We present the case of a 61-year-old male patient with a history of arterial hypertension, controlled with enalapril, who had been experiencing an increase in volume in the abdomen and both lower limbs for three months. In the last month, the increase in volume became painful, and he had difficulty eating and walking, so he was brought to the emergency room. He was admitted and imaging studies were performed, revealing a large right retroperitoneal mass displacing the right intra-abdominal structures, measuring approximately 28 cm. He was taken to the operating room for complete excision of the tumor en bloc. Over the last month, the increase in volume became painful, and he had difficulty eating and walking, so he was brought to the emergency room. He was admitted and underwent imaging studies, which revealed a large right retroperitoneal mass displacing the right intra-abdominal structures, measuring approximately 28 cm. He was taken to the operating room for complete excision of the tumor en bloc with the right kidney. He progressed satisfactorily in the postoperative period and was discharged 6 days after surgery.