Total pelvic exenteration for locally advanced colorectal carcinoma

Twenty-six patients who underwent total pelvic exenteration for locally advanced colorectal cancer were studied retrospectively. The operative mortality rate was 8 per cent (two deaths). In patients with stage II primary disease the recurrence rate after curative surgery was three of seven, although the mean survival time was 58 months and the 5-year survival rate 71 per cent. Patients with stage III primary disease had a shorter mean survival time regardless of supposed curability (curative 14 months versus non-curative 9 months). Patients with stage IV disease had a mean survival time of 5 months. In patients who underwent curative surgery for recurrent disease the mean survival time was 33 months and 5-year survival rate 25 per cent, although in those receiving non-curative surgery the survival time was significantly shorter at 10 months (P<0.05). Total pelvic exenteration is warranted for patients with stage II locally advanced colorectal carcinoma and is an option for those with recurrent carcinoma when performed with curvative intent.