Harrison Memorial Hospital now has a 360-degree trans-rectal ultrasound probe.

Deep rectal cancers or tumors with nodal involvement should have pre-operative chemo-radiation. Identifying which tumors meet these criteria can be very problematic.

Trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) can visualize the layers of the rectal wall and demonstrate the depth of tumor invasion. Enlarged lymph nodes are readily seen, and if needed biopsy can be undertaken. Patients with superficial lesions can be offered an appropriate trans-rectal local excision; while more advanced lesions can be treated more aggressively.

TRUS is also quite helpful for patients with fecal incontinence. The TRUS procedure takes about 10 minutes and is covered by Medicare.