What is the role of EUS in the endoscopic surveillance of individuals with a personal history of rectal cancer?
- After surgical resection, the local recurrence rate for advanced rectal cancer is approximately 25%, and the risk of recurrence is greatest in the first 2 years after surgery.
- EUS may be used to accurately detect recurrent rectal cancer and provide pathologic confirmation via FNA.
- The optimal interval for performing EUS following surgical resection has not been established.
- Currently, rectal EUS is recommended every 6 months for the first 2 years after low anterior resection or transanal excision to screen for recurrent rectal cancer.