| [ Summary ] |
The precise preoperative estimation of advanced colorectal cancer is indispensible to decide on optimum treatment. In this series, the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for the evaluation of the depth of invasion and the presence of the lymph node metastases were assessed. Although invasiveness of the advanced colorectal cancer was accurately predicted in 299 out of 347 (86.2%) of cases, accuracy rates for the lymph node metastases were comparatively low (74.1%). Despite some problems, EUS was superior to computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for a detailed examination of the invasiveness of lower rectal cancer ; for example, invasion of seminal vesicles or the prostate. In conclusion, evaluation using EUS was considered to be useful for the determination of operative procedures. |