[The potentials of intrarectal echography for the preoperative staging and postoperative follow-up of rectal cancer].

The method is reported of intrarectal echography and the ultrasound changes of the rectal wall in cancer. The report is based on experience with 38 patients. The basic criteria for preoperative grading of rectal cancer by the TNM system are determined and the diagnostic exactness of the method is discussed (89.5 per cent). The value of intrarectal echography in determining the extent of the surgical intervention and the postoperative control of the patients is debated.