Endorectal ultrasonography in the follow-up of rectal cancer. Is it a better way to detect early local recurrence?

After curative surgery for rectal cancer, diverse protocols are used in order to detect early possible local recurrence. Our objective was to compare the results obtained by the endorectal ultrasonography (EUS) with other means of assessment. From 1988 to 1995, 140 patients have undergone curative surgery for rectal cancer. The pathological and sonographic lesions were evaluated according to the TNM classification. In 21 patients a local recurrence was diagnosed: 5 of those 21 were corresponding to T 3-4, N 0 and 16 to T 2-4, N 1 stage. All 21 showed evidence of local recurrence by EUS examination, 14 by digital rectal examination, 16 by colonoscopy, 18 by computed tomography, and the carcinoembryonic antigen level was high in 13 cases. In 12 patient who were asymptomatic EUS was positive in 12, digital rectal examination in 5, computer tomography in 9, colonoscopy in 8, and the CEA was increased in 4. Re-resection was possible in 15 cases, 6 with curative approach and 9 palliative. These findings suggest that EUS in care accurate in the early detection of local recurrence compared to other means of assessment review of the. The limited number of patients studies. Main form of assessment required further evaluation.