CT evaluation of locally advanced carcinoma of the distal colon and rectum.

Computed tomography (CT) correctly identified extraluminal extension in carcinoma of the rectum and distal sigmoid in 20 patients who were deemed clinically inoperable because of tumor fixation. All patients received preoperative radiation therapy and subsequent surgical resection of the tumor. The findings at surgery corroborated the presence and location of tumor extension deep to the wall of the colon. Based on this preliminary data, further investigation into the place of CT in treatment planning of colon carcinomas is indicated.