Magnetic resonance imaging of rectal cancer

Rectal cancer (RC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies in the western world, with a high mortality rate; 15,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the UK, accounting for a third of all colorectal cancers. Adenocarcinoma is the main histological subtype of rectal cancer, accounting for 98%. The position of the rectum in the pelvis within the confines of the extra-peritoneal compartment, its close proximity with adjacent structures, and relationship with the peritoneal reflection all pose a unique challenge to surgical resection. A good surgical result in addressing the local disease is when there has been complete removal of the tumour with minimal acute complication or late treatment-associated side effects. Residual disease leads to a poor result due to morbidity from local recurrence, increased risk of metastasis and reduction in overall survival.

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