Imaging analysis of rectal cancer patients with clinical and pathological complete remission after concurrent chemoradiotherapy

Abstract

Objective To analyze the imaging data of patients with complete clinical remission (cCR) and postoperative pathological complete remission (pCR) after concurrent chemoradiotherapy, aiming to evaluate the values of MRI and rectal ultrasound in predicting pCR. Methods Clinical data of 42 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with operation were retrospectively analyzed. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and pathological data were statistically compared between patients with cCR and pCR. Results After concurrent chemoradiotherapy, 12 patients obtained cCR and 7 patients achieved pCR.The consistency rate of cCR between MRI and EUS was 3/12(25%), and 4/12(33%) for pCR.The consistency rate of pCR of MRI combined with EUS was 5/12(42%). Conclusion Rectal ultrasound combined with MRI cannot fully predict pCR.More accurate detection approach remains to be explored to evaluate the clinical outcomes of watch-and-wait patients. Key words: Rectal neoplasm/concurrent chemoradiotherapy; Clinical complete remission; Pathological complete remission