Article Summary
- Retroperitoneal sarcomas are rare, slow-growing tumors arising from connective tissues located deep in the abdomen.
- Surgery remains the only curative treatment, often requiring complex removal of the tumor and nearby organs.
- A multidisciplinary approach involving experts from various oncological fields substantially improves outcomes.
- more than 70% of patients treated in specialized centers survive at least five years post-surgery.
- Early referral to experienced hospitals like quirónsalud Torrevieja is critical for best prognosis.
Understanding Retroperitoneal Sarcoma: rare but Serious Abdominal Tumors
on the occasion of the National Sarcoma Day on September 20,Dr. Paula Muñoz, a surgical oncology specialist at Hospital Quirónsalud Torrevieja and spokesperson for the Spanish Society of Surgical Oncology (SEOQ), highlights the vital advances in surgery and the importance of multidisciplinary care in treating retroperitoneal sarcomas.
Retroperitoneal sarcomas are a group of rare tumors that develop from mesenchymal cells-those responsible for connective tissues like fat, muscle, or cartilage. These tumors arise in the retroperitoneal space inside the abdominal cavity,wich houses vital organs such as the aorta,vena cava,kidneys,and pancreas.
What Makes Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Challenging?
- Slow Growth, Late Symptoms: These tumors grow slowly and often only cause symptoms when they become very large.
- Delayed Diagnosis: Symptoms such as abdominal swelling,lower back pain,leg edema,weight loss,or fever usually appear late,frequently enough leading to large tumor masses at diagnosis.
- Complex Location: Proximity to vital organs and large blood vessels complicates treatment.
Key Diagnostic Tools
The gold standard for diagnosing retroperitoneal sarcoma is an intravenous contrast-enhanced CT scan, which offers detailed visualization of tumor size and its relationship to surrounding organs. A precise biopsy performed under radiologic guidance is critical to determine the specific sarcoma subtype and its aggressiveness-facts that guides personalized treatment.
Why Surgery is the Cornerstone of Treatment
“Surgery is the only curative treatment available for retroperitoneal sarcoma,” emphasizes Dr. Muñoz. The objective is a complete tumor removal, ensuring no rupture and securing clear margins of healthy tissue around the tumor. This approach is fundamental to controlling the disease locally, minimizing relapse risk, and improving long-term survival.
As these tumors can reach sizes up to 20 centimeters and frequently enough envelop vital organs, surgeries are among the most complex abdominal procedures. Sometimes adjacent structures – including a kidney, part of the colon, abdominal muscles, or critical blood vessels and nerves – must also be removed.
multidisciplinary Care: A team Effort for Better Outcomes
While surgery is pivotal, managing retroperitoneal sarcoma requires a comprehensive multidisciplinary effort. Depending on the tumor subtype and its progression, treatments may include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
Teams typically consist of:
- Surgical oncologists
- Medical oncologists
- Radiation oncologists
- Radiologists
- Pathologists specialized in sarcoma
According to Dr. Muñoz, these collaborative teams achieve markedly better outcomes for patients compared to solitary treatment methods.
Significant Advances in Patient Survival
Over the past decade, surgical advances and improved understanding of sarcoma biology have significantly boosted survival rates. Currently, more than 70% of patients treated at specialized centers live beyond five years after surgery.
“The first surgery profoundly influences patient prognosis,” dr. Muñoz stresses. “That’s why referring patients to hospitals with sarcoma experience, like Quirónsalud Torrevieja, is crucial in offering the best chance of cure.”
Quirónsalud: Leading Sarcoma Care in Valencia and Murcia
Quirónsalud operates several centers across the Valencian Community and the Murcia Region, positioning itself at the forefront of private healthcare in Spain. The group prides itself on state-of-the-art technology,patient comfort,and excellent professional services focused on advancing sarcoma treatment.
| Feature | Quirónsalud Centers |
|---|---|
| Location | Valencian Community,Murcia |
| Specialization | Oncology,Sarcoma Surgery |
| Technology Level | Advanced Imaging & Surgical Techniques |
| Patient Focus | Comfort & Personalized Care |
Recognizing Symptoms early Can Save Lives
Because retroperitoneal sarcomas grow slow and symptoms appear late,awareness is key. Patients should seek medical evaluation if they notice:
- persistent increase in abdominal size or feeling of fullness
- Lower back or abdominal pain
- Unexplained leg swelling
- Unexpected weight loss
- Fever without clear cause
Early diagnosis and treatment at specialized centers maximize survival chances and quality of life.
Reported by: News team based on information from Quirónsalud Torrevieja and SEOQ experts
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