Objective To investigate the role of pathological characteristics of the primary retroperitoneal tumor in its diagnosis and treatment. Methods To analyse and summarize the clinical data of 72 patients with PRT treated by operation in our hospital from 2001.1 to 2008.12, including Pathology results, diagnosis and treatment. Results complete tumor resection was performed in 52 cases, complete resection rate was 72.22%( including 17 cases of combined organ resection); Partial resection was performed in 8 cases; Investigation biopsy was performed in 12 cases. Major complications were intraoperative hemorrhage (5 cases), postoperative death(2 cases).PRT have a variety of organization source, including fat, nerve, lymphoid tissue and so on. The size of PRT is dissimilar in shape and form, but which by major axis >5cm is common; The material of PRT is divided into cystic (26.39%), pouch solid (45.83%) and solid (27.79%), most of them have the complete envelopes (62.50%). Postoperative pathology illustrate colon, Small intestine and kidney were the most organs which had been violated by tumor. Conclusions Grasping the pathological characteristics of PRT can instruct its diagnosis and treatment.