Palliative treatment of retroperitoneal sarcomas                         ZHOU Yu-hong*, LU Wei-qi. *Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
Corresponding author: LU Wei-qi, E-mail: luweiqi6@gmail.com
Abstract    The treatment of retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) with unresectable recurrent disease or metastatic disease is challenging. The role of palliative treatment is not well defined. Most of RPS patients will require a palliative treatment at some point. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are treatment options. Some patients have relief of their symptoms or improvement of their quality of life. Some end-stage patients need emotional and spiritual supports. The decision for palliative treatment should be based on optimizing the patients. The potential of treatment benefit and toxicity should be balanced and fully discussed with the patients and their families. Dealing with disease-related symptom such as pain, anemia, short bowel syndrome or cachexia has important significance.