Rectal MRI Interpretation After Neoadjuvant Therapy. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • In recent years, several key advances in the management of locally advanced rectal cancer have been made, including the implementation of total mesorectal excision as the standard surgical approach; use of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in selected patients with a high risk of local recurrence, and finally, adoption of organ preservation strategies, through either local excision or nonoperative management in selected patients with clinical complete response following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. This review aims to shed light on the role of rectal MRI in the assessment of treatment response after neoadjuvant therapy, which is especially important given the growing feasibility of nonoperative management. First, an overview of current neoadjuvant therapies and response assessment based on digital rectal examination, endoscopy, and MRI will be provided. Second, the use of a high-quality restaging rectal MRI protocol will be presented. Third, a step-by-step approach to assessing treatment response on restaging rectal MRI following neoadjuvant treatment will be outlined, acknowledging challenges faced by radiologists during MRI interpretation. Finally, research related to response assessment will be discussed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

publication date

  • September 8, 2022

Research

keywords

  • Neoadjuvant Therapy
  • Rectal Neoplasms

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC9851947

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85137973476

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1002/jmri.28426

PubMed ID

  • 36073323

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 57

issue

  • 2