Diagnósticos
Diagnosis of retroperitoneal sarcoma usually starts with a review of symptoms and a physical exam. Imaging tests and a biopsy may be used to diagnose this form of cancer.
Physical exam
A healthcare professional may ask when symptoms started and if they've changed over time. A physical exam of the area where symptoms are happening can help the healthcare team understand:
- The size and depth of the growth.
- If the growth may be connected to nearby tissues.
- Whether there are signs of swelling or nerve damage.
Imaging tests
Imaging tests make pictures of the body. They can provide information that helps the healthcare team learn more about your condition. Imaging tests may include:
Retroperitoneal sarcoma may be found when imaging is done because of symptoms or for another reason. If imaging shows a mass in the retroperitoneum, more testing is needed to find out what it is. Not every retroperitoneal mass is a sarcoma.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue for testing in a lab. The sample may be collected using a needle to draw out some of the tissue. Or sometimes surgery may be needed to remove a tissue sample.
In the lab, doctors trained in analyzing body tissues, called pathologists, look at the tissue sample to examine the types of cells and see whether the cells are likely to be aggressive. This information helps rule out other types of cancer and guide treatment.
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Tratamientos
Treatment for retroperitoneal sarcoma typically involves surgery to remove the cancer when possible. Some people may receive radiation therapy or medicines, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy. Treatment depends on factors including the type, size and location of the cancer and whether it has spread.
Surgery
The goal of surgery is to remove the sarcoma completely, along with an area of healthy tissue around it, when possible. Retroperitoneal tumors can grow against or into nearby organs. As a result, the surgeon sometimes needs to remove part or all of a nearby organ along with the tumor. The kidney and colon are among the organs commonly affected.
If a tumor can't be removed completely, your care team may recommend other treatment instead of having surgery right away.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy treats cancer with powerful energy beams. The energy beams can come from X-rays, protons or other sources. Radiation therapy might be done before surgery to help control the tumor. Or it might be done after surgery to kill cancer cells that might be left behind. The goal of radiation therapy before or after surgery is to lower the risk of the cancer coming back.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy treats cancer with strong medicines. Chemotherapy may be used for some people with retroperitoneal sarcoma, including when the cancer has spread or come back. Sometimes chemotherapy is used before surgery to shrink the cancer so that it's easier to remove. Or chemotherapy may be used after surgery to lower the risk of the sarcoma coming back. The benefit of chemotherapy for localized retroperitoneal sarcoma isn't clear. Localized means the cancer is in one area.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is a cancer treatment that uses medicines to attack specific ways that cancer cells can grow or spread. By blocking these paths, targeted treatments can cause cancer cells to die.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment with medicine that helps the body's immune system kill cancer cells. Researchers are studying immunotherapy to treat localized and advanced retroperitoneal sarcoma.
Palliative care
Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life at any stage of cancer. Treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy or medicines may be used to relieve symptoms even when removing the cancer isn't possible. Palliative care can be provided alongside treatments intended to control the cancer.
Treatment for recurrence
Retroperitoneal sarcoma can come back after treatment. This is called recurrence. The chance of the cancer coming back depends a lot on the type of sarcoma.
Liposarcoma is more likely to come back in the abdomen. Leiomyosarcoma is more likely to spread to other parts of the body. Recurrence can happen even years after surgery, especially with liposarcoma.
If cancer comes back only in the retroperitoneum and can be removed, another surgery may be an option. Treatment depends on where the cancer comes back, how fast it is growing, the type of sarcoma, treatments you've had and your overall health.
If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, treatment may include medicines that work through the body, such as chemotherapy. Sometimes, surgery, radiation therapy or treatments aimed at specific tumors may be used. When retroperitoneal sarcoma has spread to several areas or other parts of the body, a cure is not common. But treatment may help control the cancer, ease symptoms and help some people live longer. Talk with your care team about the goal of treatment.
The risk of cancer recurrence is often highest during the first 2 to 3 years after surgery. But it also can come back more than five years later. This is why long-term follow-up care is important.
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Prognosis
The outlook, called the prognosis, for someone with retroperitoneal sarcoma depends on many things and is different from person to person. Prognosis depends on the features of the cancer and how well treatment works.
Other important factors include whether the cancer has spread to organs or bones and a person's overall health.
Because so many things affect the outlook, cancer statistics such as survival rates can't show exactly how long someone will live.
In general, survival rates for sarcoma are better when the cancer is localized, meaning it has not spread.
Retroperitoneal sarcoma may be cured if it is localized and surgery can remove the entire tumor.
Your care team knows the details of your cancer and treatment. Care team members can give you a personalized outlook and help you make sense of what it means for you. Your care team may share a range of survival to help you plan for the future. Some people want to know as much as possible about prognosis, while others choose to focus on treatment and day-to-day life. It's up to you to decide how much information is helpful.
Estudios clínicos
Explora los estudios de Mayo Clinic que ensayan nuevos tratamientos, intervenciones y pruebas para prevenir, detectar, tratar o controlar esta afección.
Medicina alternativa
No alternative treatments have been found helpful in treating retroperitoneal sarcoma. But complementary and alternative treatments might help ease some symptoms or side effects of cancer treatment.
Examples of treatments that might help include acupuncture, exercise and massage. Activities called mindfulness-based interventions, such as yoga, relaxation and music therapy, also may be useful. If you're interested in trying alternative treatments, talk with your healthcare professional first.
Estrategias de afrontamiento y apoyo
With time, you may find what helps you cope with worries or other feelings that may come with learning you have retroperitoneal sarcoma. Until then, here are some ideas to help you cope with a cancer diagnosis.
Learn enough about your diagnosis to make decisions about your care
Talk with your healthcare team about retroperitoneal sarcoma. Ask about your test results and treatment choices. As you learn more, you may become more confident in making treatment decisions.
Find a good listener
Finding someone who is willing to listen to you talk about your hopes and fears can be helpful as you manage your diagnosis. This could be a friend or family member. A counselor, medical social worker or clergy member also may offer helpful guidance and care.
Connect with others
Other people who have had sarcoma may be able to offer you support and insight because they understand what you're experiencing. Ask your healthcare team about support groups in your area or contact the American Cancer Society. Find support online through Mayo Clinic Connect, which is a community where you can connect with others for support, practical information and answers to everyday questions.
Preparación para la consulta
Make an appointment with a healthcare professional if you have any symptoms that worry you. If your healthcare professional suspects that you might have retroperitoneal sarcoma, you'll likely be referred to a doctor who treats cancer, called an oncologist.
Retroperitoneal sarcoma is rare, and it often requires complex care. This type of cancer is best handled by a team of experts who have a lot of experience treating it.
Because there's often a great deal of information to talk about, it's a good idea to be prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready.
What you can do
When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do beforehand, such as not eating or drinking for a certain amount of time. Make a list of:
- Your symptoms, including any pain from where the tumor is located.
- Key personal information, including medical and surgical history and family medical history.
- All medicines, vitamins or other supplements you take, including the doses.
Take a family member or friend along, if possible, to help you remember the information you're given.
For retroperitoneal sarcoma, some questions to ask your healthcare professional include:
- What tests do I need?
- What are my treatment options?
- What are the potential side effects of each treatment option?
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Are there brochures or other printed materials I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?
Be sure to ask any other questions you may have.
What to expect from your doctor
Your healthcare professional is likely to ask you several questions, such as:
- When did your symptoms start?
- Are your symptoms always present, or do they come and go?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, makes your symptoms better?
- What, if anything, makes your symptoms worse?
Sept. 19, 2026