Anastomotic Local Recurrence of Rectal Cancer Remains an Important and Preventable Pattern of Failure Following Total Mesorectal Excision: Lessons for Radiotherapists

Abstract

High-resolution MRI has excellent soft-tissue resolution allowing identification of fascial layers and compartments that are not defined by CT. We analyzed MR-defined patterns of recurrence of rectal cancer following total mesorectal excision (TME). These patterns have not been previously described by MR criteria. Patterns of failure may have changed in the TME era.