Prognostic factors and functional imaging in rectal cancer

• Published in: Radiología (English ed.) Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 45 - 58
• Main Authors: García Figueiras, R, Caro Domínguez, P, García Dorrego, R, Vázquez Martín, A, Gómez Caamaño, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier España 01.01.2012
• Subjects: Cáncer rectal; Diffusion; Difusión; Factores pronósticos; Functional imaging; Imagen funcional; Magnetic resonance imaging; Prognostic factors; Radiology; Rectal cancer; Resonancia magnética; Resonancia magnética; Cáncer rectal; Rectal cancer; Magnetic resonance imaging; Difusión; Imagen funcional; Diffusion; Factores pronósticos; Prognostic factors; Functional imaging
• ISSN: 2173-5107; 2173-5107
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rxeng.2012.05.004

Abstract The outcome of treatment for rectal cancer in recent years has been improved by diverse advances in the field of surgery and in neoadjuvant oncologic therapies. Heald's introduction of the concept of the mesorectum as an anatomical unit (total mesorectal excision) in 1982 and the generalization of preoperative radiochemotherapy have improved the prognosis in a significant number of patients. Owing to these advances, it has become necessary for imaging studies to define a series of prognostic factors for tumors, both before and after neoadjuvant treatment, to make it possible to tailor treatment for individual patients with rectal tumors. On the other hand, the advent of functional and molecular imaging techniques has provided a way to study a series of distinctive tumor characteristics in vivo, including the angiogenesis, metabolism, or cellularity of rectal tumors, and these techniques are making a growing contribution to the prognosis, staging, treatment planning, and evaluation of the response to therapy in patients with rectal cancer.