Introduction
Soft tissue sarcomas are rare and account for less than 1% of all newly diagnosed malignancies. One third of malig- nant tumors that arise in the retroperitoneum are sarco- mas. Liposarcoma is the single most common soft tissue sarcoma and the most common retroperitoneal sarcoma. It accounts for at least 20% of all sarcomas in adults and up to 41% of all retroperitoneal sarcomas [1,2]. Retroperi- toneal liposarcomas (RPLS) grow slowly and silently. Its prognosis is poor compared to the other histological sub- types of retroperitoneal sarcomas [3,4]. Only complete excision provides a hope of a cure, this is often difficult, especially in well differentiated subtypes because the mar- gins are not grossly apparent thus often necessitating con- tiguous organ resection. Classification of liposarcoma into subtypes based on morphologic features and cytogenetic
aberrations is now widely accepted. The 4 subtypes includes Well-differentiated, De-differentiated, Myxoid/ Round cell and Pleomorphic [5].
Previous studies have shown that high histological grade and incomplete gross resection are the most important negative prognostic factors in patients with ret- roperitoneal sarcoma. Complete surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment. Some previous reports suggested that there is no survival benefit of partial resection as compared to biopsy alone without resection [2,6-8]. There is however no universal agreement and at least one series reported that in selected patients with retro- peritoneal liposarcomas, partial resection can prolong survival and provide palliation [1]. medical therapies have shown some efficacy in the management of RPLS, although most consensus is that total surgical extirpation provides the patient best chance for cure [9-11].
The aim of this study is to review our experience in the management of RPLS in an Asian population and to identify any associated prognostic factors.