[Role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the staging of rectal cancer].

Modern therapy of the rectal carcinoma is dependent on sophisticated preinterventional diagnostics, which is decisive with regard to the indication for neoadjuvant therapy and influences the decision concerning the method of surgery. Endoscopic ultrasound is an established part of this diagnostic process. It is characterised by a high accuracy in T and N staging. New therapeutic concepts and the rapid development of competing methods make a new assessment of its value necessary.