Treatment and results of recurrent cancer of corpus uteri in patients receiving anterior and total pelvic exenteration. 1947–1963

In cases of cancer corpus uteri in New York state, 30% of these patients have recurrent or persistent disease. The authors question whether further therapy, in the form of exenteration, should be offered to these patients. Of 36 patients receiving pelvic exenteration 5 or more years ago, seven received their initial treatment less than 1 year prior to treatment for recurrence and none survived more than 15 months. Of the 29 patients who were free of disease for at least 1 year after initial treatment and before receiving exenteration for recurrence, five lived 5 or more years. It is concluded that there is a limited place for pelvic exenteration in the treatment of recurrent endometrial cancer.