Pre-operative MR assessment of recurrent rectal cancer

¹ Departments of Radiology, Leeds General Infirmary, Great George Street, Leeds, LS1 3EX
² Departments of Colorectal Surgery, Leeds General Infirmary, Great George Street, Leeds, LS1 3EX
³ Department of Medical Physics, St James University Hospital, Beckett St, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK

	Abstract

The potential for curative resection of recurrent rectal cancer and the recognized benefits of palliative resection have led to increased numbers of patients being referred for MRI assessment. This study assesses the use of MRI to provide a roadmap of tumour recurrence to allow for appropriate surgical planning. Differentiation of recurrent rectal cancer from post-surgical and post-radiotherapy changes on MR proved particularly problematic when assessing the pelvic sidewalls. Areas of uncertainty on imaging, therefore, need to be discussed on a case by case basis regarding the decision to proceed to curative or explorative surgery.