Preoperative assessment of rectal cancer stage: state of the art

Rectal cancer is one of the most common tumors worldwide; it accounts for approximately 25-30% of cancers arising in the large bowel. Owing to greater distribution of screening programs and better attention from both patients and General Practitioners to this disease, in recent years we have observed an increasing number of cases diagnosed in the early stages, with a consequent better prognosis. The improved 5-year survival is also partially due to better, and more accurate, diagnostic techniques and to more curative treatments. In this review, the authors analyze and discuss the more recent diagnostic techniques for an accurate preoperative staging of rectal cancer, highlighting each method's advantages and limits for their routine use in clinical practice.