Retroperitoneal liposarcoma weighing over one hundred pounds with review of the literature

Background. Rarely, excessively large, slow growing tumors are found to be malignant. One exception includes retroperitoneal tumors, which if considered a mass of pelvic origin, may be encountered by the gynecologic oncologist. Case. A post-menopausal female was referred for evaluation of a huge mass thought to arise from the pelvis. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy and had resected a 50 x 48 x 45 cm, 103.6 lb. liposarcoma arising from the right retroperitoneum. Discussion. Rarely, large slow growing abdomino-pelvic masses may be malignant, and one should be prepared to perform an appropriate surgical resection. This case represents removal of the largest retroperitoneal liposarcoma reported. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.