Added value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in characterization and staging of rectal cancer

Abstract

Background: Approximately 15% of all cancers are found in the rectum. Rectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in patients. According to the National Cancer Institute, it's the third most frequent cancer in males and the second most prevalent cancer in women. About 96 percent of all colon cancers are adenocarcinomas, with lymphoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and carcinoid among the more uncommon malignancies.
Aim of the study: to discuss the accuracy of MRI at staging cancer rectum using high-resolution MRI sequences and to give a brief review about more emerging important aspects of rectal cancer staging, such as the circumferential resection margin, extramural vascular invasion, and the staging of low rectal cancers.
Patients and Methods: Our study was done in the Radiodiagnosis Department, Zagazig University Hospital, with 24 patients with primary rectal cancer referred from the Surgery Department for preoperative local staging of cancer rectum; the results of MRI were compared to pathologic findings.
Results: Patients included in the study were 16 females and eight males; their ages ranged from 45 to 75 years with a mean age of 60 years. Adenocarcinoma comprised about 83.3 % of all of our cases. T3 and N1 tumors were found to be the most common stages in our cases.
Conclusion: Preoperative MRI utilizing high-resolution sequences is an accurate modality for preoperative grading of rectal carcinoma, delineation of affection of mesorectal fascia, circumferential resection margin, and extramural vascular invasion.