Primary Retroperitoneal Tumors

Abstract

Although tumors are of relatively infrequent occurrence, their behavior and pathology are often so bizarre as to make them a most interesting group to study. There have been only a few long-term follow-up reports on the ultimate prognosis. Consequently, a survey of the cases of primary tumors recorded in the Albany Hospital during the past 31 years seemed timely. The term retroperitoneal tumor is often used in an all-inclusive manner to denote a mass that has arisen in, metastasized to, or invaded the potential space and converted it into an actual space. Actually, however, it seems more plausible to think of this term as including a more restricted group of tumors, namely, those which are primary and which therefore originate from the potential space. Moreover, Herdman 2 believes in even greater limitations of scope and defines tumors, as Those tumors, solid or cystic found in the