[Pre- and postoperative ultrasonic studies in stomach carcinoma and in colonic carcinoma]

Ultrasonographic findings in gastric cancer are essential for assessment of operability. In surveillance programs, endoscopy is important in detecting secondary gastric carcinomas, whereas ultrasonographic examination has no clinical value. Preoperative ultrasonography in colorectal carcinoma focuses on detection of liver metastases and, if metastases are detected, on assessment of resectability. Sonographic surveillance at short intervals in thus important for possible therapeutic interventions.