Clinical and histopathologic factors predicting recurrence and survival after pelvic exenteration for cancer of the cervix

Between September 1969 and January 1, 1986, 143 pelvic exenterations for recurrent cervical cancer were performed by the gynecologic oncologists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Of this group, 78 patients underwent total pelvic exenteration, 63 patients had anterior exenteration, and two had posterior exenteration. The overall operative mortality rate was 6.3%, mostly associated with total pelvic exenteration. The 5-year survival rates were 50% overall, 63% with anterior exenteration and 42% with total exenteration. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify clinical and histopathologic factors predictive of prolonged survival. Using three clinical factors (duration from initial radiation therapy to exenteration, size of the central mass, and presence of preoperative sidewall fixation), low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups were constructed; the 5-year survival rates for these groups were 82, 46, and 0%, respectively. Inclusion of one histopathologic factor (margin status of the surgical specimen) added to the ability to predict 2- and 5-year survival rates. The best candidates for cure by pelvic exenteration were those with recurrent small (less than 3 cm), mobile central masses who were a year or longer from the time of their previous radiation therapy. Attempts to resect bulky pelvic recurrences that impinge on the pelvic sidewall, especially in the case of persistent or early recurrent disease (within 6 months), or continuation of exenterative procedures in women known to have nodal metastases or extrapelvic spread, are generally futile. For those women falling between the two extremes, sound clinical and operative judgment is imperative in regard to selecting the treatment offering the best quality of life.     

Clinical aspects and prognosis of pelvic recurrence of cervical carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To identify which patients with locally recurrent cervical carcinoma are potentially curable. METHOD: A total of 664 stage IB-IVA patients were examined following surgery or radiotherapy. RESULT: Among the 664 patients, 193 (29%) developed recurrence. Sixty-seven (35%) of these recurrences were located in the pelvis alone. Among these 67 recurrences, 24 (35%) were central recurrences and the remaining 43 (65%) were pelvic side-wall recurrences. Of the 24 patients with central recurrences, 8 were salvaged. Of these 8 patients, 3 underwent pelvic exenteration, and 5 received optimal radiotherapy. The recurrent tumor in these 5 survivors who received radiotherapy had consisted of a small (<2 cm) tumor. All 43 patients with pelvic wall recurrence developed progressive disease. CONCLUSION: The following patients are potentially curable: patients with a resectable, centrally located tumor who are candidates for pelvic exenteration, and patients with a small central recurrence for whom complete radiation therapy is feasible.     

Pelvic exenteration for the treatment of gynecological malignancies

Twenty-three patients undergoing pelvic exenteration for primary and recurrent gynecological malignancies from 1976 to 1994 are reported. Fifteen patients underwent total pelvic exenteration, 3 underwent anterior exenteration, and 5 underwent a posterior procedure. Eight patients had exenteration as their primary treatment (primary group), and 15 underwent exenteration as secondary treatment (recurrent group). In the primary group, two patients developed recurrence and died of it at 6 and 20 months after operation. Five patients are still being followed up and are alive without disease. Four of these 5 patients have survived more than 5 years. In the recurrent group, 12 patients were followed up and three died of complications during the early years. Seven patients died of cancer with the mean survival time of 16.6 months. The mean age, average operating time, and mean blood loss in the primary and recurrent groups were 57 vs. 53 years, 8 hours and 20 min vs. 8 hours and 10 min, and 4,120 vs. 4,190 ml, respectively. The overall cumulative 5-year survival rate was 34.7%, being 68.6% in the primary group and 16.7% in the recurrent group. It is noteworthy that the 5-year survival rate was 51.3% in the patients who had surgical margins free of disease. In conclusion, pelvic exenteration should be considered an acceptable therapeutic option when appropriately selected.     

Pelvic exenteration for advanced carcinoma of the cervix. Some reflections on 241 cases

The experience in treating 241 cases of advanced carcinoma of the cervix with 102 anterior, 34 posterior, and 105 total pelvic exenterations is presented. Reference is made to the variety of techniques employed for the diversion of the urinary tract. Among 100 patients operated upon more than 5 years previously, the mortality within 30 days of operation was 25 per cent in anterior exenteration, 24 per cent in posterior, and 49 per cent in total pelvic exenteration. The 5 year survival rates were 21 per cent in anterior, 35 per cent in posterior, and 6 per cent in total pelvic exenterations. Patients with advanced cancer involving pelvic walls represent an unfavorable group and should be considered unsuitable for pelvic exenteration. Best results are obtained with pelvic exenteration in the treatment of a central lesion.     

Pelvic exenteration in the age of modern chemoradiation

Background

To examine outcomes after pelvic exenteration in women treated with modern chemoradiation and surgical techniques.

Methods

All patients at our institution with a diagnosis of gynecologic malignancy who underwent pelvic exenteration after treatment with chemoradiation between 1/90 and 6/08 were evaluated with a retrospective chart review.

Results

44 women were identified, of whom 29 (66%) had cervical, 6 (14%) had uterine, 5 (11%) had vaginal, and 4 (9%) had vulvar cancer. The majority of patients (82%) were initially treated with external beam whole-pelvic radiation with concurrent cisplatin. 38 patients (86%) underwent exenteration for a central pelvic recurrence, and the remaining 6 patients (14%) for radiation necrosis. The most common surgical complication was transfusion requirement in 36 patients (82%), followed by wound infection in 15 (34%), small bowel obstruction in 8 (18%), and sepsis in 6 (14%). The median time spent in the ICU post-operatively was 2 days. One patient (2%) died during her post-operative hospital stay. The mean EBL overall was 2497 cc and the mean operative time was 544 min. Use of electrothermal bipolar coagulation, which was used in 64% of the exenterations, significantly reduced blood loss (3679 cc vs. 1836 cc, p = 0.014). After exenteration, 21 patients (48%) were diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer, and the mean progression free survival was 31 months. Patients who received exenteration less than 2 years after their initial chemoradiation had a significantly shorter overall survival time (8 months vs. 33 months, p = 0.016).

Conclusions

Approximately 50% of women develop recurrence following exenterations done after chemoradiation. Survival is significantly longer in patients who necessitate exenteration greater than 2 years out from initial treatment. Electrothermal bipolar coagulation appears to significantly reduce blood loss during these surgeries.     

Rectosigmoid colectomy and reanastomosis to facilitate resection of primary and recurrent gynecologic cancer

From 1976 through 1982, 72 rectosigmoid colectomies were performed on patients treated at the gynecologic oncology service at UCLA. Thirty-five of these were performed to resect primary or recurrent ovarian cancer, and 37 were performed as part of an exenteration for recurrent cervical or vaginal carcinoma. In 24 of the patients with ovarian cancer and 11 of the patients undergoing exenteration, the rectosigmoid colon was primarily reanastomosed, using either a primary suture technique or the end-to-end anastomosis stapler. Intraoperative management included adequate mobilization of the colonic mesentery to eliminate tension on the anastomosis, and liberal use of pelvic drains. Eighteen of 24 (75%) patients with ovarian cancer who received a primary reanastomosis did not have a protecting colostomy, whereas all 11 patients who underwent exenteration had a protecting colostomy. There were no anastomotic leaks in any of these patients, although morbidity occurred in seven of 35 patients (20%). There were no operative mortalities. The end-to-end anastomosis stapler has facilitated lower resections with primary reanastomosis. Colostomy is not mandatory in patients who have not had prior pelvic radiation therapy, and in whom no pelvic infection exists. Rectosigmoid colectomy permitted optimal or curative tumor resection in the majority of these patients, and thus should be performed whenever necessary to accomplish this goal.     

Surgical resection of recurrent endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Chances of survival after the diagnosis of recurrent endometrial cancer are poor. Although total pelvic exenteration has been described as a treatment for a select subset of patients with recurrent endometrial cancer, the use of other surgical procedures in this setting has not been well described. The objective of this study was to review our experience with non-exenterative surgery for recurrent endometrial cancer. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent non-exenterative surgery for recurrent endometrial cancer between 1/91 and 1/03. Survival was determined from the time of surgery for recurrence to last follow-up. Survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Differences in survival were analyzed using the log-rank test. The Fisher's exact test was used to compare optimal versus suboptimal cytoreduction against possible predictive factors. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were identified. Fifteen patients (56%) had disease limited to the retroperitoneum, 10 patients (37%) had intraperitoneal disease, and 2 patients (7%) had both intra- and retroperitoneal disease. Cytoreduction to 2 cm. There were no major perioperative complications or mortalities. The median hospital stay was 7 days (range, 1-18 days). Additional therapies included intraoperative radiation therapy in 9 patients (33%), radiation therapy in 12 patients (44%), and chemotherapy in 10 patients (37%). The median follow-up for the entire cohort was 24 months (range, 5-84 months). The median progression-free survival was 14 months (95% CI, 6-23), and the median disease-specific survival was 35 months (95% CI, 24-not reached). Size of residual disease was the only significant predictor for both progression-free and disease-specific survival. Patients with residual disease 2 cm residual (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection for recurrent endometrial cancer may provide an opportunity for long-term survival in a select patient population. The only factor associated with improved long-term outcome was the size of residual disease remaining at the end of surgical resection.     

Indications for primary and secondary exenterations in patients with cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE: Fifty years after the introduction of exenterative surgery in gynecologic oncology, the indication for primary and secondary exenteration is controversially discussed in cervical cancer patients. In addition, the term "palliative exenteration" is not precisely defined. We evaluate the role of primary exenteration in patients with stage IVA cervical cancer and the role of secondary palliative exenteration. METHODS: The study retrospectively analyzed surgical and oncologic data of 55 patients who underwent exenterative surgery in the Department of Gynecology at the University of Jena between February 1998 and January 2004. Primary surgery was performed in 20 patients with laparoscopically confirmed stage IVA cervical cancer, while 35 patients with recurrent cervical cancer underwent secondary exenteration. Fifty-one had total, 3 posterior and 1 anterior exenteration. Survival was analyzed in relation to the patient's age, indication (primary versus secondary, curative versus palliative), previous therapy (operation, radiation, chemotherapy, radiochemotherapy), histology, resection margins, pelvic nodal involvement, time interval from primary therapy to recurrence, type of exenteration and adjuvant therapy. Early and late postoperative complications as well as perioperative mortality were reviewed. RESULTS: The overall cumulative survival of all patients after exenteration was 36.8% at 5 years with 52.5% in the primary group and 26.7% in the recurrent one (p=0.0472). Complications were noted in 56.9% of patients, most commonly fistulas or gastrointestinal complications. Operative mortality was 5.5%. Survival correlated significantly with the time interval between primary treatment and recurrence (within 1-2 years 16.8% five-year survival, 2-5 years 28%, >5 years 83.2%, p=0.0105) as well as with curative or palliative intention (2-year survival rate of 60% in patients with curative intent, 10.5% in those with palliative intent, p=0.0001) and with tumor-free resection margins (2-year survival of 10.2% for positive margins, 5-year survival of 55.2% for negatives ones, p=0.0057). The age, the type of exenteration, the histologic type and the metastatic spread to pelvic lymph nodes had no significant influence on long-term survival. CONCLUSION: In patients with histopathologically confirmed stage IVA cervical cancer primary, exenteration is a valid alternative to primary chemoradiation. In patients with persistent or recurrent tumor limited to the pelvis, secondary exenteration should be offered in the absence of other therapeutic options. Palliative and curative attempts can best be differentiated by the resection margin status.     

Pelvic exenteration: 1949–1971

Twenty-two pelvic exenterations were performed during the interval 1949 to 1971. Over this same time period, 1841 patients were treated for carcinoma of the cervix indicating that exenteration was not a commonly utilized procedure. The commonest indication for pelvic exenteration in our institution was recurrent or persistent disease following radiotherapy. Of the patients, 27.3% were alive and well 5 years following surgery without evidence of disease. The 5-year survival figures are similar to those reported in literature. The criteria used in the investigation and final selection of patients for pelvic exenteration are also presented. The results obtained would indicate that pelvic exenteration has a definite but limited role in the management of certain types of pelvic cancers.     

Pelvic exenteration: Prognostic significance of regional lymph node metastasis

The members of the Felix Rutledge Society were surveyed to determine their policies concerning pelvic exenteration when regional lymph node metastasis is discovered at the outset of an operation and the resulting survival data. Survival data from the responding members are presented in a summary table. A series of 448 exenterations performed at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute from 1955 to 1984 was reviewed, and the medical records of patients with positive nodes were analyzed for factors that might influence prognosis, such as anatomical site of cancer, histologic type, and location and number of positive nodes. Of the 407 patients whose lymph nodes were studied histologically, 44 had nodal metastasis. Death from recurrent gynecologic cancer and death from all causes were used as end points, and survival rates were calculated according to primary treatment, treatment of recurrent cancer, cancer of the cervix, location of positive nodes, and number of positive nodes. For patients with positive nodes, 36.2% avoided death from recurrent cancer for 3 years, and 26.3% survived for 5 years. We conclude that although the prognosis for patients with positive nodes is poor, some longterm survivals can be achieved. The goal of pelvic exenteration is cure; however, for selected patients, the operation may be justified when it improves the quality of life and extends life.     

Multivariate analysis of factors affecting survival in pelvic exenteration

Of 153 patients with primary or recurrent pelvic malignancy referred for consideration of exenteration, only 40.6% (62 patients) were found to be suitable for exenteration after full assessment. Thirty percent (46 patients) were found to be inoperable on examination under anesthesia. Of the remaining 107 patients, 33% (35 patients) were found to be inoperable at laparotomy, 9% (10 patients) underwent radical hysterectomy and 58% (62 patients) had an exenterative procedure. One patient had no active disease found on final histologic review of the exenteration surgical specimen and was excluded, as the aim of this study was to look at the prognostic factors affecting survival. There remained 61 patients in the exenteration group who were analyzed. The 2-year survival rate was less than 2% for patients with inoperable disease, 48% for patients who underwent radical hysterectomy and 54.1% for patients who underwent exenteration. The 5-year survival rate for all patients undergoing exenteration for pelvic malignancies was 44% and that for cervical cancer only was 52%. Multivariate analysis of patients who had undergone exenteration showed four significantly poor prognostic factors influencing survival. They were: (a) aged older than 69 years, (b) recurrence of the tumor within 3 years, (c) persistent recurrence, and (d) positive resection margins.     

The role of pelvic exenteration for sarcomatous malignancies

Pelvic exenteration, although performed most frequently for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and vagina, has been used in selected patients with pelvic sarcoma. Nine patients with various histologic types of sarcoma treated by pelvic exenteration are reported. During this 23-year time period, 46 patients with sarcoma were evaluated for possible exenteration. Patients with embryonal rhadomyosarcoma (sarcoma botryoides) were excluded because these pediatric tumors are now treated with less radical operative procedures, plus radiation and chemotherapy. Six patients had exenteration as primary treatment, and three patients had exenteration as secondary treatment. Four patients developed recurrent disease (mean 5.2 months), and all four died of disease. Five patients were alive at 5 and 10 years, for an absolute survival of 55%. All three patients with mixed mesodermal tumors died of recurrent disease, compared with 83% survival for patients with other sarcoma types. Pelvic exenteration may play a limited but important role in the therapy of pelvic sarcoma.     

晚期妇科恶性肿瘤盆腔脏器清除术18例分析

目的 探讨晚期妇科恶性肿瘤盆腔脏器清除术的治疗效果和术后并发症的防治。方法 对晚期宫颈癌８例、外阴癌８例和阴道癌２例施行了盆腔脏器清除术。宫颈癌中Ⅳ期（中央型）５例,其余３例为复发癌;外阴癌中Ⅲ期３例,Ⅳ期５例;阴道癌２例均为Ⅲ期。结果 本组资料的３年生存为７２％,５年生存率为５０％。无术中死亡者。术中出血７００～１２００ｍｌ,术后并发症发生率为１６％。２例肠梗阴,１例手术治疗,１例保守治疗后缓解     

Operative treatment of recurrent cancer of the uterine cervix after radiotherapy

During the period 1976-83, 47 women were operated on for recurrent or persistent cancer of the uterine cervix following initial radiation therapy. The operations performed were Wertheim's operation combined with dissection of the pelvic nodes, or some type of pelvic exenteration. With a 5-year survival of 31% in our material, surgical treatment of centrally located recurrences is a realistic possibility. We recommend an exenterative procedure as the operation is technically easier and the complications require less radical surgical treatment. The operation should only be done on narrow indications in the hope of achieving a cure, and the selection of patients must thus be stringent.     

Pelvic Exenteration for Malignant Melanomas of the Vagina or Urethra with over 3 mm of Invasion

Pelvic exenteration has usually been employed as salvage treatment for gynecologic malignancies which have failed primary radiotherapy. The therapeutic mainstay for vulvar melanomas has become wide local excision with or without concurrent regional node dissection. Patients with primary melanoma of the vagina who undergo exenteration as primary therapy may experience 50% 5-year survival if the pelvic nodes are free of metastases. However, the overall 5-year survival for vaginal melanoma is 15%. In our patient population, there have been four patients with vaginal or urethral melanomas treated primarily with pelvic exenteration. The purpose of this study was to report that patients with vaginal or urethral melanomas over 3 mm in thickness may benefit from primary pelvic exenteration. Four patients underwent pelvic exenteration at Indiana University Medical Center for malignant melanoma of the vagina or urethra between 1986 and 1992. The pathologic specimens of all patients were analyzed for thickness, growth pattern, and nodal metastases. Patient age ranged from 50 to 71. Thickness of the melanomas ranged from >3 to 12 mm. All four patients underwent exenterations, three total and one anterior. All patients had negative pelvic and inguinal nodes at the time of surgery. None of the patients has experienced a recurrence. Three of four patients are alive without evidence of disease at 31 to 97 months following their exenteration. One patient died postoperatively of cardiopulmonary complications. Patients with melanomas of the vagina and female urethra, greater than 3 mm in thickness, may benefit from primary pelvic exenteration.     

The role of pelvic exenteration for the treatment of vulvar cancer

OBJECTIVES: The pelvic exenteration is a method of treatment in cases of recurrence or locally advanced gynecological tumors without distance metastases. The total pelvic exenteration has been used as salvage therapy especially for advanced gynecological malignancy. DESIGN: The aim of study was to analyse the group of women who underwent pelvic exenteration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A series of 13 patients who underwent pelvic exenteration for advanced vulvar cancer at the Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Gdańsk Poland between 1996-2003 was retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The more often performed exenteration in patients with vulvar cancer was posterior pelvic exenteration in 11 cases, total pelvic exenteration in 2 cases. The mean age at diagnosis was 56 years. The estimated blood transfusion due to operation ranged from 300 ml to 3580 ml with a mean of 1200 ml. The operating time ranged from 4 hours to 7 hours 30 minutes with a mean of 6 hours and 5 minutes. Patients stayed in hospital from 14 to 54 days after operation with a mean 33 days. The overall complication rate after pelvic exenteration was 61.5% with 8 of the 13 patients. Three times it was infection, six times wound dehiscence, in 1 case it was: ARDS, thrombophlebitis, ureter damage. There was no late complication. CONCLUSION: Pelvic exenteration offers the last chance for some women with gynecological malignancy.     

Choices in creating continent urostomies following pelvic exenteration for gynecologic malignancies

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report was to describe a rationale for choosing from a variety of techniques to construct continent urinary diversions for patients who undergo pelvic exenterations. Moreover, this report evaluated the technique and utility of a continent urostomy created from a supracecal segment of colon. METHODS: The charts from patients who underwent pelvic exenterations and urinary diversions by DFS between September 1999 and December 2000 were reviewed after institutional review board approval. Data were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: Four patients underwent total pelvic exenterations and one received an anterior exenteration. Recurrent vulvar, vaginal, and cervical cancers were diagnosed in one, one, and two of the patients. One patient had an unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma in the pelvis. Four of the five received prior pelvic radiotherapy either in the neoadjuvant setting or as treatment for their primary disease. All five patients chose to have continent urostomies constructed. One Kock (ileal) pouch, one Miami (iliocolonic) pouch, and three supracecal colonic continent urostomies (SCCCU) were built. All five maintained continence over the follow-up period (mean follow-up time = 8.2 months). No complications related to the urostomies required reoperation. A new technique to for the construction of a SCCCU is described. CONCLUSION: With a variety of procedures established to build continent urostomies, the choice of which to use should be individualized to the patient's situation as well as to the surgeon's experience. The use of a SCCCU requires moderately complex manipulations of the colon (described in the text) and a slight increase in the operative time; however, it results in successful continence and avoids complications related to radiation-injured bowel. It may be considered the procedure of choice for patients who have received prior radiation therapy. Long-term follow-up is needed.     

Survival of nonsurgically staged patients with negative lymphangiograms who had Stage IIB carcinoma of the cervix treated by pelvic radiation plus hydroxyurea

Twenty patients with Stage IIB carcinoma of the cervix who did not undergo pretherapy para-aortic lymphadenectomy, but who had negative preradiation therapy lymphangiograms, were treated with pelvic radiation plus hydroxyurea. Patients received a median of 5020 rads of pelvic radiation plus 4000 rads of radium to point A. During radiation therapy and for a total of 12 weeks, patients received hydroxyurea administered at a dose of 80 mg/kg of body weight every 3 days if the white blood cell count was greater than or equal to 2,500/mm3 and platelets were greater than or equal to 75,000/mm3. The median follow-up time was 28 months (6 to 83 months). The estimated 5-year survival rate was 92%. Seventeen patients are alive with no evidence of disease (median, 28 months); one died of intercurrent disease with no evidence of disease (17 months); one is alive with no evidence of disease after recurrence (18 months); and one died of cervical cancer (22 months). The survival rate of patients with nonsurgically staged negative pretherapy lymphangiograms who had Stage IIB cervical cancer treated by pelvic radiation therapy plus hydroxyurea approximated the improved survival rate reported for patients with negative pretherapy para-aortic lymphadenectomy who were treated with pelvic radiation therapy plus hydroxyurea. Both studies would suggest that pelvic radiation plus hydroxyurea improves the rate of survival in patients with Stage IIB cervical cancer.     

Radical pelvic resection and intraoperative radiation therapy for recurrent endometrial cancer: technique and analysis of outcomes

OBJECTIVE: To describe the technique and assess outcomes and morbidity following radical resection combined with intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT) in patients with recurrent endometrial cancer. METHODS: From 1986 to 2002, 25 patients received treatment including radical resection and IOERT for recurrent endometrioid, endometrial cancer. Relevant clinical information was extracted through retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Treatment prior to referral included radiation in 56% and either a secondary surgery or chemotherapy in 48%. External radiation (EBRT) was administered in addition to IOERT in 84%. Radical procedures performed at the time of IOERT included resection of the pelvic sidewall en bloc with the obturator nerve, external iliac vein, psoas, iliacus, or obturator internus muscles, ureter, or boney ileum. Seven patients required exenteration in combination with resection of the pelvic sidewall. The median IOERT dose was 1500 cGy (range 1000-2500 cGy). Overall five-year survival was 47% vs. 71% for those with a gross total resection but close margins. Two patients with recurrences limited to the para-aortic area are alive without evidence of disease at 54 and 71 months. Proportional hazards modeling showed concurrent EBRT, tumor size after resection, grade, and age to be associated with improved survival. The most common complications were peripheral neuropathy, functional ureteral obstruction, and fistula formation. CONCLUSIONS: With an aggressive treatment approach including radical resection combined with IOERT, long-term survival is possible in a significant number of patients with localized recurrent endometrial cancer. Preoperative radiation paired with complete surgical resection utilizing extended procedures is paramount to achieving optimal outcomes.     

Low colorectal anastomosis after radical pelvic surgery: a risk factor analysis

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to analyze our experience with low (8-12 cm above the anal verge) and very low (<6 cm above the anal verge) colorectal resection and primary anastomosis at the time of radical en bloc resection of pelvic malignancies. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of 77 patients undergoing supralevator pelvic exenteration with low colorectal resection and primary anastomosis in our gynecologic oncology service was carried out. Data were obtained from patient medical records and from the tumor registry. Univariate statistical analysis of the data was used. RESULTS: The distribution of primary malignancies in this cohort was as follows: 33 (43%) recurrent or primary cervical carcinomas, 27 (35%) primary or recurrent ovarian carcinomas, 7 (9%) recurrent vaginal carcinomas, 4 (5%) endometrial carcinomas, 3 (4%) colon carcinomas, and 3 (4%) cases of stage IV endometriosis. Forty patients underwent total pelvic exenteration, and 37 patients underwent posterior exenteration. Thirty-six patients in the total pelvic exenteration group had a history of pelvic irradiation. Twelve (30%) of these patients had development of breakdown or fistulas of the anastomosis. Six of the 12 patients (50%) had undergone protective colostomy. Thirty-seven patients underwent posterior exenteration with primary anastomosis for ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, colon cancer, or endometriosis, and only 1 of these had received pelvic irradiation. This patient did not have a protective colostomy, and a rectovaginal fistula developed. In addition, there were 3 other breakdowns in the posterior exenteration group. Finally, the presence of preoperative ascites did not appear to alter the breakdown rate of the anastomosis among the patients with ovarian cancer who underwent cytoreductive surgery. CONCLUSION: Radical resection of pelvic tissue remains a crucial part of the armamentarium of the gynecologic oncologist. Previous pelvic irradiation appears to be a major risk factor (35% vs 7.5%) for anastomotic breakdown and fistulas, independent of the presence of a protective colostomy. The overall results appear to be better for patients undergoing this procedure as part of a posterior exenteration.