A CASE STUDY ON RETROPERITONEAL TUMOR: A RARE PATHOLOGY

Abstract

Introduction: Retroperitoneal tumors (RPTs) are extremely rare tumors, predominant in both sexes and can be malignant or benign. Due to the inaccessibility of the region and the asymptomatic or nonspecific presentation, these tumors most often reach a substantial size. The most frequent symptoms are abdominal pain, discomfort, or a painless palpable mass in the abdomen. In addition to the patient's clinical history, imaging tests are essential for diagnosis. Complete surgical resection is the only potential curative treatment modality for RPTs. Discussion: Benign RPTs are approximately four times less frequent than malignant tumors, although they often manifest clinically - which makes our patient's case even more atypical. The pathological stage is highly correlated with the prognosis of cancer and, for an accurate assessment, high-quality cross-sectional images play a fundamental role. Conclusion: The successful prognosis of RPTs is influenced by multiple factors. The grade of the tumor is of paramount importance, in addition to its intrinsic biology, together with the extent of surgical resection performed, playing crucial roles in determining prognosis and life expectancy. Therefore, performing detailed imaging exams and specific laboratory tests, when possible, are crucial.