Objective To summarize the experience in diagnosis and treatment of primary retroperitoneal tumor (PRT). Methods Clinical data of 69 patients with PRT from June 1998 to June 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. Results Bellyache, abdominal distention, and abdominal mass were common symptoms in the patients with PRT. Ultrasound, CT, and MRI examination were effective. The major histopathological classification was soft tissue tumor, germinoma, lymphatic hematopoietic system tumors, and other rare tumors. Complete resection of tumors was performed in 42 cases, combined organs resection in 10 cases, partial resection of tumors in 11 cases, and only biopsy in 6 cases. There were 10 cases of intraoperative vessel and organ injury, which were treated by repair or vessels suturing and combined organ resection. Postoperative complications occurred in 8 cases, which were cured by conservative treatment. One patient died of hemorrhage acute stress ulcer combined multiple organ failure. The survival rates of 1, 3, and 5 years in patients underwent complete resection of tumors were 71%, 64%, and 46%, respectively. Of 11 patients underwent partial resection of tumors, 8 cases died within one year, and 3 cases died within 3 years after operation. All malignant tumor patients treated by biopsy died within one year after operation.Conclusion Synthetically using imaging examination may diagnose definitely, and to resect tumors as much as possible will improve patients’ survival.