How are computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) useful in patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma?
CT and MRI are useful to stage the extent of disease in patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma, to determine whether the tumor is fully resectable, and to detect presence of residual or recurrent tumor after treatment. The main pretreatment imaging features that indicate tumor unresectability include extensive vascular involvement by tumor, peritoneal spread of tumor, and presence of distant metastatic disease. Complete surgical resection is the key prognostic factor of clinical outcome in patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma.
