Value of rectal ultrasound in predicting staging and outcome in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: Transrectal ultrasonography is considered the best method to stage rectal cancer, and thus the need for preoperative radiotherapy. This retrospective study was designed to determine the prognostic value of uTN classification on survival of patients treated by preoperative radiotherapy and surgery.

Methods: A total of 218 patients with proven rectal adenocarcinoma were staged by transrectal ultrasonography before treatment.