Pelvic exenteration: a review of the Gateshead experience 1974-1992.

OBJECTIVE: To examine morbidity and survival among women treated by pelvic exenteration for gynaecological malignancy. DESIGN: Retrospective review by analysis of case records. SETTING: Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, UK. SUBJECTS: Eighty-three consecutive patients referred from within the UK from 1974 to 1992 for initial treatment of advanced gynaecological malignancy or management of recurrent disease following unsuccessful initial therapy. RESULTS: Overall five year actuarial survival was 41%, falling to 36% at 10 years. Serious morbidity was low, and there were only three peri-operative deaths. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with limited options for treatment of advanced primary or recurrent cancer, exenteration offers a reasonable prospect of survival with good quality of life.