Evaluation and staging of rectal cancer

Abstract

Abstract The evaluation and staging of rectal cancer has changed over the past two decades with the advent of new imaging techniques. These techniques, combined with the traditional history and physical exam, allow the clinician to accurately predict the stage of the rectal cancer prior to any therapy. Now preoperative decisions can be made concerning the use of adjuvant therapy or in selecting appropriate patients for local excision. Of all the new modalities, endorectal imaging appears to provide the greatest accuracy, and when combined with CT or MRI scanning of the abdomen allows for the complete abdominal and pelvic workup of the rectal cancer patient. Copyright © 2002 by W.B. Saunders Company