Endoscopic Ultrasound in Cancer Staging

Abstract

The authors review the role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the staging of cancers throughout the gastrointestinal tract. EUS offers an advantage over cross-sectional imaging in locoregional tumor staging but is less sensitive in identifying distant metastasis. The addition of FNA increases diagnostic accuracy and provides a tissue diagnosis. EUS combined with cross-sectional imaging is important in accurately staging GI tumors and thereby reducing unnecessary procedures and health care costs.

Keywords: Cancer staging; Cholangiocarcinoma; Colorectal cancer; Endoscopic ultrasound; Esophageal adenocarcinoma; Gastric cancer; Pancreatic adenocarcinoma.