Malignant triton tumor of the retroperitoneum: a case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Malignant triton tumors are relatively rare and highly aggressive tumors in which malignant schwannoma cells coexist with rhabdomyoblasts. Their occurrence in the retroperitoneum is uncommon and has been rarely reported.


METHODS
We present the case of a patient with a retroperitoneal malignant triton tumor. A 32-year-old male was referred with epigastric pain and an abdominal mass. Computed tomography revealed a huge soft tissue retroperitoneal mass that involved adjacent organs and vessels. Complete resection was undertaken. Pathological examination confirmed the presence of a malignant triton tumor. The patient died two and a half months after surgery, as a result of local recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Malignant triton tumors are uncommon sarcomas that are associated with a high incidence of developing local recurrence and distant metastases. Immunohistochemical staining showing nerve sheath differentiation with rhabdomyoblastic cells confirms the diagnosis. Complete excision of the tumor is the most effective treatment strategy for these retroperitoneal tumors.
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, People's Republic of China.
Zhiwei
Z
Li
Jie
J
Xiang
Sheng
S
Yan
Feng
F
Gao
Shusen
S
Zheng
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed