En Bloc Resection of a Giant Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma: A Surgical Challenge

Liposarcomas are exceedingly rare entities that evoke malignant transformation of connective tissue and fat cells. These tumours occur throughout the soft tissues of the body, afflicting a myriad of regions. In the adult population, liposarcomas represent the most prevalent subtype of sarcomas, and often arise de novo. Retroperitoneal liposarcomas (RLS) are a ubiquitous subset of sarcomas that, due to their deep location in the hollow abdomen, can grow to astronomical proportions before manifesting any noticeable symptoms; a prompt diagnosis of RLS is therefore often rendered dilatory. We hereby delineate the case of a 43-year-old woman who presented with vague left hemiabdominal distention and discomfort. A subsequent computed tomography scan divulged a giant retroperitoneal growth impaling on and thus displacing the pancreas. A compartmental, en bloc resection was performed, with subsequent histopathology of the excised specimen revealing a well-differentiated liposarcoma. The surgical intervention was curative and led to an uneventful recovery. This paper highlights the pertinence of surgical management as an appropriate treatment modality for a complete resection of RLS.