Abstract

Pelvic exenteration is used as therapeutic option for advanced or recurrent cancer in the pelvis. We determined the complications of and the survival after pelvic exenteration. The study was performed as a retrospective cohort (n = 62) study from January 1, 1989, until January 1, 2000. Descriptive statistics were used. Survival was estimated according to the Kaplan–Meier life table. The operative mortality was 1.6%. Seventy-five percent of the patients had postoperative complications of which ileus and urinary tract infection were the most common. Late complications occurred in 83% of the patients. Recurrent disease was observed in 38% of the women, whereas 50% had died on January 1, 2000. Five-years disease-free and overall survival were 42% (confidence interval [CI] ± 14%) and 46% (CI ± 14%), respectively. Elderly patients (>70 years old) do not experience more complications. Despite considerable morbidity, pelvic exenteration is a therapeutic option for survival, even for patients of 70 years and older.