Pelvic Exenteration for Locally Advanced and Relapsed Pelvic Malignancies - An Analysis of 100 Cases.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Although pelvic exenteration is an aggressive surgical procedure, it remains almost the only curative solution for patients diagnosed with large pelvic malignancies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We present a series of 100 patients submitted to pelvic exenteration with curative intent.

RESULTS

The origin of the primary tumor was most commonly represented by cervical cancer, followed by, endometrial cancer, rectal cancer, ovarian cancer and vulvo-vaginal cancer. An R0 resection was confirmed in 68 cases, while the remaining 32 cases presented lateral positive resection margins or perineal positive margins. The postoperative morbidity rate was 37% while the mortality rate was 3%. As for the-long term outcomes, the median overall survival time was 38.7 months, being most significantly influenced by the origin of the primary tumor.

CONCLUSION

Although pelvic exenteration is still associated with an increased morbidity, an important improvement in the long-term survival can be achieved, especially if radical resection is feasible.