Pelvic exenteration for recurrent endometrial adenocarcinoma: a retrospective multi-institutional study about 21 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival of patients who underwent pelvic exenteration (PE) with curative intent for recurrence of endometrial adenocarcinoma during a single decade. METHODS: We defined a cohort of 21 patients who met our inclusion criteria, referred to 4 cooperating gynecologic oncology settings in Germany and Italy between 2000 and 2011. Data regarding surgery, histology, and oncologic outcomes were collected and statistically evaluated. Survival was determined from the day of exenteration until the last follow-up or death. RESULTS: The median age was 66 years. A total of 42.9% of the patients had major complications, and a complete resection was achieved in 85.7% of the patients. A total of 71.4% of the patients had negative nodes. No patient died intraoperatively. The perioperative mortality, calculated within 30 days from PE, was 4.8%. The overall 5-year survival rate, evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method, was 40%. For the subgroup with complete resection and negative lymph nodes, overall survival reached 60%. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a high complication rate, PE for solitary pelvic recurrence of endometrial cancer yields a high rate of long-term survival.