Preoperative staging of rectal cancer with computerized tomography. Accuracy, efficacy, and effect on patient management.

Twenty-three consecutive patients with rectal cancer were evaluated by pelvic computerized tomography (CT). The study was designed to assess the accuracy of preoperative CT staging. The results showed that the CT and surgical and/or pathologic staging agreed in 18 patients. In two patients, the pelvic extent was correctly assessed, but small liver implants were not recognized. In three patients, CT over-estimated the extent of disease. The authors also studied whether or not CT yielded significant new information, which was not obtainable by other diagnostic methods. In most patients this was the case. Finally, the authors wanted to know the extent to which this knowledge influenced the decision about how to treat the patient. Computerized tomography findings influenced the treatment in less than 50% of the patients. It is concluded that the accuracy in staging, and the addition of new and unique information justified the routine use of CT prior to surgical intervention in all patients with known invasive rectal cancer.