Diffusion and Perfusion Imaging in Rectal Cancer Restaging

Semin Ultrasound CT MR. 2023 Jun;44(3):117-125. doi: 10.1053/j.sult.2023.02.002. Epub 2023 Mar 3.

Abstract

The assessment of tumor response, after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (n-CRT), permits the stratification of patients for the proper therapeutical management. Although histopathology analysis of the surgical speciemen is considered the gold standard for assessing tumor response, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with its significant developments in technical imaging, have allowed an increase in accuracy for the evaluation of response. MRI provides a radiological tumor regression grade (mrTRG) that is correlated with the pathologic tumor regression grade (pTRG). Functional MRI parameters have additional impending in early prediction of the efficacy of therapy. Some of functional methodologies are already part of clinical practice: diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) and perfusion imaging (dynamic contrast enhanced MRI [DCE-MRI]).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Humans
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy* / methods
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Perfusion Imaging
  • Rectal Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Rectal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Rectal Neoplasms* / therapy