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01-06-2013 | Localized Rectal Cancer (R Glynne-Jones, Section Editor)

Target Volume Definition in Rectal Cancer: What Is the Best Imaging Modality?

Authors: Morten Brændengen, Marianne Grønlie Guren, Bengt Glimelius

Published in: Current Colorectal Cancer Reports | Issue 2/2013

Abstract

All patients with rectal cancer should undergo an accurate preoperative staging, including local staging for tumour extension and reliable staging for synchronous distant metastases. Imaging is of utmost importance as a basis for selecting the optimal treatment strategies and as an aid for precise target delineation. Anatomical imaging such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been the most commonly used pretreatment staging modalities, whereas endorectal ultrasonography may be useful for staging of smaller tumours (T2 or lower). MRI is the most accurate imaging technique for staging of T3 and T4 tumours. The role of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/CT is under investigation, and diffusion-weighted MRI seems promising for prediction of pathological complete response. For target delineation, planning CT, preferably contrast-enhanced, is the most used imaging technique. For locally advanced tumours, coregistration with MRI or PET/CT may prove to be useful. In this article, the literature published on target delineation in rectal cancer radiotherapy is evaluated, with focus on the best imaging modality for volume definition and radiotherapy planning.

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Title: Target Volume Definition in Rectal Cancer: What Is the Best Imaging Modality?
Authors: Morten Brændengen
Marianne Grønlie Guren
Bengt Glimelius
Publication date: 01-06-2013
Publisher: Current Science Inc.
Published in: Current Colorectal Cancer Reports / Issue 2/2013
Print ISSN: 1556-3790
Electronic ISSN: 1556-3804
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11888-013-0170-9

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