ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the diagnosis and surgical treatment of adult primary retroperitoneal malignant tumor (APRMT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 98 cases with APRMT underwent resection from January 1990 to April 2003 were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 98 cases, complete excision were performed in 79 cases (80.6%), palliative excision in 16 cases (16.3%), tumor biopsy only in 3 cases (3.1%). Resection of involved adjacent organs were carried out in 25 cases (25.5%) and the re-operation rate for recurrence was 28.6% (28 cases). The 1, 3, 5 year survival rates for 79 cases with complete resection were 93.7%, 73.4% and 34.2%, respectively. The 1, 3, 5 year survival rate for 16 cases with palliative resection were 75.0%, 6.3% and 6.3%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Certain imaging examinations are crucial to the diagnosis and preoperative evaluation of APRMT. Resection of the involved organs could improve resection rate and prognosis. For the recurrent cases, earlier reoperation is strongly recommended.</p>