[Progress in evaluating lymphatic spread in cancer of rectum: endoscopic rectal lymphoscintigraphy]

The preoperative evaluation of lymphatic spread in rectal cancer constitutes a problem of difficult solution. A prospective study including 45 patients operated for rectal cancer, has been carried out in order to evaluate the diagnostic value of a new technique: The endoscopic rectal lymphoscintigraphy. The results of preoperative assessment were compared with histological date according to Dukes' classification (Dukes A/B: 22 cases, Dukes C: 23 cases). Analysis of these results allowed to accurate sensitivity (80%), specificity (73%) and accuracy (80%) of this new technique. Combined to endorectal ultrasonography, rectal lymphoscintigraphy might play an overwhelming role in characterising the indications for local excisions of small tumors; similarly, the effect of preoperative radiotherapy might be further evaluated.