[Importance of roentgeno-radioisotope diagnosis in precise determination of the TNM system classification of rectal cancer].

The authors share their experience with the use of special methods of roentgeno-radioisotope investigation (selective inferior mesentericography, intravenous pelvic phlebography, vaso-vesiculography, direct inferior lymphography, scanning of hepatic lymph nodes) for precise determination of the lesion stage in 151 patients with rectal cancer. Diagnostic findings obtained by means of selective inferior mesentericography, intravenous pelvic phlebography and vaso-vesiculography allows the division of T category to be based on the anatomical principle of the organ and adjacent tissues structure. Lymphography and lymphoscanning render it possible to pinpoint further the category NX, thus differentiating NX, N0, N1, N2. The diagnostic data obtained were carefully checked during surgical interventions and by histological assay of the operative material. The results of the work have proved the methods employed to be highly reliable.