[Results of 108 exenteration operations in advanced gynecologic cancers]

We can now say that in our opinion exenteration is not an operation that is dangerous to life, if the conditions that will be described below are observed and if the indication is interpreted sufficiently narrowly, although during the first few years results had been moderate indeed. Exenteration has since developed so positively that it is now increasingly possible to consider the aspect of preserving the function of the adjacent organs, so that the disadvantages resulting for the patient's own body image and her self-concept and self-appraisal are now relatively acceptable compared to what had been possible previously. Indication for exenteration results from the situation, the ideas and the motivation of the patient, mainly, however, against the background of the characteristic features of the operation described here. Today we can say that even these extensive operations are firmly established in gynaecological oncology if there are extended carcinomas and recurring carcinomas. Hence, I believe it is advisable--at least in central recurring carcinomas--to refer such patients to competent surgical oncological centres before attempting to irradiate (or to irradiate again) the recurring tumour.