ABSTRACT

Preoperative staging of rectal cancer assists in surgical decision making regarding the suitability of curative local excision as well as in the selective use of preoperative adjuvant radiation and chemoradiation, both of which have been shown to reduce the incidence of loco-regional cancer recurrence substantially. Most colorectal units employ endorectal ultrasound (ERUS) in the assessment to define tumour depth (T) and nodal (N) status. The preliminary Barbadian experience of 40 such cases showing an accuracy for T stage of 85% and for N stage of 50% in keeping with international reports is presented. The interpretation and limitations of this technology are presented.