title: Pre-operative evaluation of patients with low rectal carcinoma.
abstract: Advances in surgical technique and adjuvant therapy have broadened the spectrum of treatment available for patients with low rectal cancer. Combination of careful pre-operative clinical examination with newer, more sophisticated techniques, particularly in the field of imaging, can stage the extent of disease more accurately then previously. Adoption of an extended pre-operative evaluation allows a more rational approach to treatment in the individual, and standardizes criteria for entry into, and interpretation of, future clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Unit, Royal London Hospital, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Durdey
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography