Retroperitoneal Tumours

What are retroperitoneal tumours?

Retroperitoneal tumours are rare abnormal growths that develop deep within the abdominal cavity, behind the lining that encases the abdominal cavity and surrounds the abdominal organs. This anatomical space contains vital organs such as the kidneys, adrenal glands and pancreas, as well as major blood vessels and nerves. However, tumours arising from the kidneys, pancreas and adrenal glands are not typically categorised as “retroperitoneal tumours”.

Retroperitoneal tumours are classified as either benign or malignant.

Malignant tumours that arise from cells of mesenchymal origin, which develop into “connective tissues” are classified as sarcomas, as opposed to cancers arising from epithelial cells, which are classified as carcinomas. The “connective tissues” include fat cells, skeletal muscle cells, nerve cells, smooth muscle cells, and various others. Sarcomas make up the most common malignancies in the retroperitoneum.

Other retroperitoneal tumours include paragangliomas, which are tumours arising from ganglia along the chain of sympathetic nerves that lie adjacent to the very large blood vessels (aorta, inferior vena cava, and renal vessels) in the retroperitoneum. These are very similar to phaeochromocytomas that arise in the adrenal medulla and secrete excessive amounts of noradrenaline and/or adrenaline and can cause very serious high blood pressure, cardiac rhythm, and rate abnormalities.

Symptoms

Retroperitoneal sarcoma usually presents as a large palpable mass in the abdomen and may be otherwise asymptomatic. When symptoms develop, they are typically caused by the tumour exerting pressure on adjacent organs and tissues.

Signs may include:

• A lump in the abdomen
• Unexplained weight loss
• Leg swelling

The aforementioned symptoms are general and require further assessment by a qualified medical practitioner, such as Dr Stapleton.

Treatment

Treatment for retroperitoneal sarcoma is determined by factors such as tumour stage, anatomical location, and the patient’s overall health status. Treatment modalities include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.