Pelvic exenteration is a highly complex surgical procedure performed for certain advanced or recurrent gynecological cancers (most commonly cervical, vaginal, vulvar, or endometrial cancers) when the disease is confined to the pelvis but cannot be controlled by radiation or chemotherapy alone.
It involves the removal of all affected pelvic organs (bladder, urethra, rectum, anus, and may also include removal of reproductive organs) to achieve complete cancer clearance, especially when the tumor has invaded the bladder, rectum, or parts of the bowel. Pelvic exenteration may offer a chance of cure in cases where all other options have been exhausted.