[Total pelvic exenteration in vaginal cancer--case report]

Vaginal cancer is a rare neoplasm and in about 65% to 90% of cases it is a metastatic one. It is diagnosed in women aged from 60 to 70 years, but it can also appear in younger patients. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequently found histopathological type. Risk factors for the development of vaginal cancer are thought to be similar to those of cervical cancer. We present a case of a 52-year old woman with vaginal cancer treated with brachytherapy. Due to neoplasm recurrence, additional examinations were performed in the course of one year. The patient was qualified for total pelvic exenteration. A leakage from the abdominal wound was observed post operatively. It was successfully noninvasively treated. In 3 months time she was hospitalized because of the superficial abdominal abscess which was located next to the left ureterostomy. The patient undergoes regular gynecological, surgical and urological control examinations. So far the results do not show any recurrence of the neoplastic process. Total pelvic exenteration should be considered in selected groups of patients.