PREOPERATIVE EVALUATION OF PATIENTS WITH LOW RECTAL-CARCINOMA

Advances in surgical technique and adjuvant therapy have broadened the spectrum of treatment available for patients with low rectal cancer. Combination of careful pre-operative clinical examination with newer, more sophisticated techniques, particularly in the field of imaging, can stage the extent of disease more accurately then previously. Adoption of an extended pre-operative evaluation allows a more rational approach to treatment in the individual, and standardizes criteria for entry into, and interpretation of, future clinical trials.