Pelvic Exenteration Surgery for Gynaecological Malignancies: An Interactive Programme on Current Practice and Future Directions

For many years pelvic exenteration has been undertaken at the Royal Marsden. Within the field of gynaecological cancer the most common indication is recurrent gynaecological cancer in previously irradiated patients, who, in addition, often have also had chemotherapy and gynaecological surgery. Although, these operations are numerically a small part of the practice of colorectal, urological and gynaecological cancer surgeons, they are resource and labour-intensive, requiring long operating times, intensive care and long hospitalisation. Key considerations are case selection, and a well-planned and coordinated team approach involving diagnostic specialists, surgical specialists including plastic, urologic and reconstructive surgeons, anaesthetists and clinical nurse specialists. The balance is to maximise outcome in terms of survival but minimise the short and long-term morbidity, maintaining or improving the patient’s quality of life.

This interactive programme should be of great interest to those who look after such patients and in particular to gynaecological oncology trainees, consultant gynaecological oncologists and clinical nurse specialists