Retroperitoneal solitary fibrous tumour arising from the pelvis in women--a case report and review of literature.

A solitary fibrous tumour is an unusual spindle cell neoplasm that most frequently occurs in the pleura based intrathoracic region. In recent years attention has been drawn towards solitary fibrous tumours arising in extrathoracic sites. They are usually benign but malignant solitary fibrous tumours have also been reported (Nielson et al. 1997). There is far less information about the clinical behaviour of an extra thoracic solitary fibrous tumour unlike intrathoracic tumours which is well reported in many case series (England et al. 1989). Although solitary fibrous tumours are well described lesions, the occurrence of similar tumours in the pelvic retroperitoneum of women and presenting as pelvic mass have been reported only sporadically. Because of the rarity, unpredictable behaviour; lack of information available about the clinical behaviour (recurrence and metastasis) and lack of follow up protocol, we are reporting this case which we encountered along with the review of previously reported cases.