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.     

A phase II study of aflibercept in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer and symptomatic malignant ascites

Objective

To evaluate the outcomes observed with pelvic exenteration with curative intent for recurrent uterine malignancies in the modern era.

Methods

We reviewed the records of all patients who underwent this procedure at our institution between 1/1997 and 03/2011. Postoperative complications up to 90 days after surgery were analyzed and graded as per our institution grading system. Survivals were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

During the study period, 21 patients were identified. Median age at the time of exenteration was 57 years (range, 36-75). Median tumor size was 6 cm (range, microscopic — 14.5). Tumor histology was: endometrioid, 10 cases; mixed, serous, and carcinosarcoma, 7 cases; and sarcomas, 4 cases. The type of exenteration was: total, 14 cases; anterior, 6 cases and posterior, 1 case. There were no intra- or postoperative mortalities. Seven patients (33%) developed at least one grade 2 complication, and 10 patients (48%) developed at least one grade 3 complication. Five (24%) patients had to be re-operated on in the first 90 days post surgery. The median follow up time after exenteration was 39 months (range, 5-112). The 5-year survival of the entire cohort was 40% (95% CI: 18-63). An improved survival was observed in patients with endometrioid tumors and sarcomas (5-year survival rates of 50% and 66%, respectively). The presence of pelvic sidewall involvement and/or hydronephrosis did not negatively affect survival.

Conclusion

Pelvic exenteration for recurrent uterine malignancies can be associated with long-term survival in properly selected patients. A high rate of postoperative complications remains a hallmark of this procedure and should be discussed carefully with patients facing this decision.     

Pelvic exenteration for recurrent gynecologic malignancy: survival and morbidity analysis of the 45-year experience at UCLA

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively assess the outcome of patients undergoing pelvic exenteration for recurrent or persistence gynecologic malignancy and the clinical features associated with outcome and survival. METHODS: A review was conducted of patients who underwent pelvic exenteration over a 45-year period (1956-2001) at the UCLA Medical Center. Numerous clinical variables were analyzed, including time to relapse, type of exenteration and reconstructive operation, early (<60 days) and late (>60 days) morbidity, and survival. Variables were analyzed by chi-square and life-table analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients (ages 26-74 years) had persistent cervical and vaginal (67) and uterine (8) cancer. Forty-six patients underwent total exenteration, 23 anterior, and 6 posterior. Sixty-nine (92%) patients underwent urinary diversion or neocystoplasty, 54 (72%) patients had a simultaneous neovagina created, and 43 of 52 (83%) patients who had a low colon resection had a primary reanastomosis. Twenty-nine patients died from recurrent malignancy, 28 were alive without disease, 11 were alive with disease, and 7 died from other causes at last follow-up. Survival for patients with cervical and vaginal cancer was 73% at 1 year, 57% at 3 years, and 54% at 5 years. Survival for patients with uterine cancer was 86% at 1 year, 62% at 3 and 5 years. The most frequent early morbidity was urinary tract infection, wound infection, and intestinal fistula; the most frequent late morbidity was urinary tract infection and intestinal obstruction. CONCLUSION: Pelvic exenteration in patients with recurrent cervical and vaginal malignancy is associated with a durable > 50% 5-year survival. Simultaneously performed pelvic reconstructive operations with a continent urinary diversion, the creation of a neovagina, and the reanastomosis of the colon with the formation of a J-pouch is now our standard; and these operations tend to improve the outcome of patients. Based on our initial experience, recurrent uterine corpus cancer in young women (< 55 years) should be included as an indication for the surgery.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Pelvic exenteration for primary and recurrent gynaecological malignancies

OBJECTIVE: Analyse the outcome of pelvic exenteration for gynaecological malignancies in a tertiary referral center. Post-operative in-hospital morbidity, long-term morbidity, disease free and overall survival rates were studied. STUDY DESIGN: Between 1991 and 2004, 42 patients underwent an anterior, total or posterior exenteration for gynaecological malignancies. Follow-up was obtained from patient files; disease free and overall survival were calculated and prognostic factors were studied. RESULTS: A pelvic exenteration was performed in 14 patients for primary and 28 patients for recurrent gynaecological cancers. In-hospital complications occurred in 19 patients (45%) of whom seven patients needed a reoperation (17%). Late complications occurred in 31 patients (75%); 21 reinterventions were performed (50%). Five-year disease free and overall survival was, respectively, 48 and 52%. Age, type of surgery, histology, localisation of the tumour, lateral wall involvement, completeness of resection and primary versus recurrent cancer were not identified as prognostic factors for recurrence or survival. CONCLUSION: Long-term survival is possible in about 50% of patients after pelvic exenteration for gynaecological cancers, but is associated with significant post-operative morbidity.     

Optimal therapy for pelvic recurrence after radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer

Forty-eight patients with pelvic recurrence after radical hysterectomy were evaluated. The influence of location of pelvic recurrence (sidewall versus central), histological grade, histological type, and interval from hysterectomy to recurrence had no influence upon curability by radiotherapy. Ten of twenty-eight patients treated by primary radiation therapy for recurrent disease remain without evidence of disease a minimum of 12 months post-therapy, with a projected 5-year disease-free survival in excess of 30%. No patient treated with adjuvant radiation after initial surgery was rendered disease free by subsequent treatment with radiotherapy. Eleven patients were explored for exenterative surgery. Three of six in whom exenteration was technically feasible remain alive without evidence of disease. None of 15 patients treated with chemotherapy remain free of disease. Radiation therapy remains the treatment of choice in post-radical hysterectomy recurrences confined to the pelvis. As exenterative therapy will result in the cure of a small number of patients with disease confined to the pelvis, exenteration should be considered in patients treated previously by radiotherapy. If these efforts fail, chemotherapy is unlikely to result in cure.     

Pelvic exenterations for gynecological malignancies: twenty-year experience at Roswell Park Cancer Institute

The objective of this study is to review the experience with pelvic exenterations for gynecological malignancies at our cancer institute. Charts of 48 women who underwent a pelvic exenteration between January 1980 and December 1999 were reviewed, and several outcomes were analyzed. Majority of patients had received prior radiation therapy. The median survival was 35 months, and the disease-free survival was 32 months. Mortality from the procedure was 4.2%. Early and late postoperative complication rates were 27% and 75%, respectively. Recurrence rate was 60%. Eight patients received intraoperative radiation. Median survival in this group was 11.3 vs 35 months (P = 0.003). Univariate analysis failed to show an association between type of pelvic exenteration, type of fecal and urinary diversion, outcome, need for reoperation, and recurrence. Contemporary pelvic exenterations are associated with a low mortality and a potential for long-term survival in a subset of patients who historically have been given a poor prognosis. In patients with recurrent gynecological cancer confined centrally to the pelvis, pelvic exenteration still remains the choice of therapy as response to chemotherapy to a centrally recurrent tumor in radiated area continues to be poor. Intraoperative radiation in select few patients needs to be further studied.     

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, University of Michigan: 100 patients at 5 years

One hundred patients undergoing pelvic exenteration (total 69, anterior 13, posterior 18) at the University of Michigan Medical Center from 1964-1984 are reported. All patients were followed for at least 5 years or until time of death. The overall cumulative survival was 66% at 3 years and 61% at 5 years. The age of the patients ranged from 21-74 years (median 53). The type of pelvic neoplasm included squamous cell of the cervix, 57; adenocarcinoma of the cervix, nine; squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva, 12; squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina, eight; vaginal sarcoma, four; adenocarcinoma of the vagina, one; adenocarcinoma of the endometrium, four; uterine sarcoma, four; and adenocarcinoma of the ovary, one. The cumulative 5-year survival was significantly related to the presence of metastatic disease to the regional lymph nodes (8% 3-year and 0% 5-year survival), time interval from primary diagnosis to exenteration (within 1 year 44%, 1-10 years 60%, and over 10 years 95%), and cell type (squamous cell 68%, sarcoma 62%, and adenocarcinoma 26%). Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (N = 57) had a cumulative 5-year survival of 73%, compared with nine patients with adenocarcinoma of the cervix, who had a 22% 5-year survival. No significant difference in survival existed for the type of exenteration, original stage of squamous cell cervical carcinoma, size of recurrent squamous cell lesion, or age of the patient. Early or late complications occurred in 49 patients. Two patients died in the postoperative period. Small-bowel obstruction was the most common complication seen in this series.     

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.     

Laparoscopic total pelvic exenteration for cervical cancer relapse

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy classically reduces morbidity and invasiveness. To decrease the operative morbidity associated with exenteration, we considered the possibility of performing a total pelvic exenteration by the laparoscopic approach. CASE: A 34-year-old woman presented with a cervical cancer relapse. The bladder, uterus, vagina, ovaries, and rectum were mobilized en bloc from the pelvic sidewall. We used vascular endoscopic staplers for the control of sigmoid vessels and anterior branches of internal iliac vessels. The specimen was removed through the vulva. A colo-anal anastomosis and an ileal-loop conduit for urinary tract diversion were made. The operative time was 9 h. The postoperative course was uneventful. Specimen margins were free of disease. CONCLUSION: With laparoscopic surgical knowledge and new endoscopic staplers, laparoscopic pelvic exenteration procedure is feasible.     

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 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.     

Pelvic exenteration for recurrent or persistent gynecologic malignancies: a 10-year review of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center experience (1972-1981)

From January 1, 1972 to December 31, 1981, sixty-five patients underwent pelvic exenteration as treatment for recurrent or persistent gynecologic malignancy at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Cervical carcinoma was the disease most commonly treated by exenteration. The operative mortality of 9.2% represents an improvement over previous reports from this institution. After routine use of prophylactic minidose heparin, no cases of thrombophlebitis or pulmonary embolus occurred postoperatively. A 5-year survival rate of 23% warrants continued use of exenteration in carefully selected patients. The significant mortality and morbidity associated with pelvic exenteration preclude its use as a palliative procedure.     

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     

Pelvic exenteration with low rectal anastomosis: Survival, complications, and prognostic factors

Between July 1979 and January 1989 there were 31 patients who underwent pelvic exenteration with low rectal anastomosis (PE and LRA) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). There were no operative deaths; however, 32% of the patients experienced significant postoperative morbidity. Survival (Kaplan-Meier) at 1 year is 86%. Overall survival is 68% with follow-up ranging from 10 months to greater than 9 years. For those patients with disease confined to the cervix and/or vagina (n = 18) the survival is 89% while it is 38% for patients with spread to the bladder, rectum, or parametrium (n = 13). Survival was not influenced by tumor differentiation, time from irradiation to exenteration, or initial stage. Complete healing of the LRA was achieved in 16 patients (52%). However, in the subset of patients with an omental wrap (n = 13) the complete healing rate is 85%. Protective colostomies were utilized in 12 patients; however, this was not shown to improve the healing rate of the LRA. This group of patients is compared to similar patients who had anterior pelvic exenteration at UAB for morbidity and survival. LRA at the time of pelvic exenteration for recurrent cervical cancer is associated with acceptable morbidity and survival and should be attempted in those patients who are appropriate candidates.