[Total pelvic exenteration]

Over the last decades total pelvic exenteration (TPE) has evolved into an established and safe surgical technique for locally advanced pelvic malignancies. Depending on the type of cancer 5 year overall survival rates of up to 66% and a satisfactory postsurgical quality of life have been reported. Currently infiltration of the pelvic side wall and resectable metastases are not necessarily a contraindication to a curative approach; furthermore, TPE can also be useful in palliative surgery. In locally recurrent rectal cancer TPE is the treatment of choice if the tumor is deemed resectable. A multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach is of utmost importance, hence patients should be treated in specialized centers.