[Endosonographic staging of rectal tumors in a surgical department]

In 1997 and 1998 the authors implemented and evaluated endosonographic examinations of the rectum in 34 patients, incl. 22 on account of carcinoma and 12 for adenoma. Carcinomas classification T1 were recorded in 9%, T2 in 27.3%, T3 in 54.5% and T4 in 9%. Agreement with histopathological staging was recorded in 63.6%. In adenomas in 17% a suspect malignant appearance and spread into the muscularis propria was found and this was confirmed by histological examination. The results confirmed the contribution of routine endosonographic examinations to accurate staging and subsequent indication of different therapeutic modalities. From the surgical aspect it is important for assessment of the stage T4 and thus also primary inoperability. The examination is valuable also when it is impossible to visualize highly located tumours, as it rules out infiltration of adjacent organs.