Liposarcoma retroperitoneal complicado: a propósito de un caso

Retroperitoneal neoplasias may be a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the clinician. Case report: A 56 year old male with prior history of type 2 diabetes consults with right inferior limb edema and paresthesias. He was diagnosed of deep vein thrombosis and lymph node conglomerate by ultrasound. A CT scan was performed, observing great retro peritoneal mass enclosing vascular and nervous structures. An initial histological diagnosis of hamartoma was made. Surgery was scheduled to remove the tumour, ligation of thrombosed external iliac vein and the external iliac artery was preserved. Intraoperative histological findings suggested sarcoma, definite studies showed presence of high grade liposarcoma. Two weeks after the intervention, the patient presents in hypovolemic shock due to rupture of the right external iliac artery. Emergent ligation of the artery and femorofemoral bypass was performed, with adequate postoperatory recovery. The patient was discharged and continued adjuvant oncology treatment and was exitus six months later. Discussion: Sarcomas are the most frequent primary retroperitoneal tumours. They are difficult to diagnose and often have untimely treatment. Sarcomas tend to be asymptomatic, or present with local compression symptoms, affecting vascular and nervous structures. CT scan is the gold standard for diagnostic imaging. Treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach, surgical resection as the main therapy; radio and chemotherapy represents a solution for irresectable or high grade malignancies.