Rectal Cancer Staging

• Computerized Tomography Scan
  A CT (or CAT) scan uses detailed X-rays from different angles - often made after the patient had drunk a dye or had it injected to make the tissues being studied show up more clearly.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  The area in which cancer is suspected is scanned using magnetism and radio waves. The scans are digitally manipulated to produce an extremely detailed images without radiation. Because of the extremely powerful magnetism of MRI scanners they cannot be used on patients with any metal implants or pacemakers.

• Biopsy
  A sigmoidoscope or colonoscope is used to remove a small sample of the tumor for microscopic analysis by a pathologist.

• Endoscopic Ultrasound
  An endoscope is inserted into the rectum and generates high-energy ultrasound which bounces off tissue and forms echoes which are used to form images of internal structures called sonograms. This is also called endosonography.

• Stages of Rectal Cancer
  • Stage 0
    Stage 0 is cancer which has not spread past the inner lining of the rectum. It is also called carcinoma in situ.

  • Stage I
    Stage I rectal cancer has spread past the inner lining of the rectum to the second or third layers, but has not spread to the outer wall or to other areas. This is sometimes called Dukes' A rectal cancer.

  • State II
    Stage II rectal cancer has spread beyond the rectum, but not into the lymph nodes. This is sometimes called Dukes' B rectal cancer.

  • Stage III
    Stage III is rectal cancer which has spread to lymph nodes, but not to other parts of the body. This is sometimes called Dukes' C rectal cancer.

  • Stage IV
    Stage IV is rectal cancer which has spread beyond the rectum to other parts of the body. This is sometimes called Dukes' D rectal cancer.

  • Recurrent Rectal Cancer
    Recurrent rectal cancer is cancer which has come back after being treated and apparently eliminated. The cancer may reappear in the rectum or in other parts of the body.