RECTAL CANCER DISTANCE TO THE ANAL VERGE AND THE T STAGING: MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FINDINGS

Abstract

This study sought to determine the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T staging and the rectal cancer (RC) distance to the anal verge in patients treated in radiotherapy department of Tripoli University Hospital. An observational study was conducted in Radiotherapy department at Tripoli University Hospital retrospectively from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020 for total number of 73 patients whom met the inclusion criteria; 18-year- old or more, male and female with primary RC, T2 or more. distance metastasis or secondary RC were excluded. Patients were 38 female and 35 male. Patient less than 50 years old was 25% and 38% was between 50-69 years old. patient at 70 years old or older was 10%. The low rectal cancer, less than 5 cm to the anal verge, is in 38.4% of the patients, with most of the patients at T2 staging (45.5%). While 19.2% was in the mid rectum, 5-10 cm to the anal verge, the T2 was 9%. Regarding the high rectum, more than 10 cm to the anal verge, it was present in 42.5%, of which 45.5% was in T4b. Rectal cancer was less commonly in the mid rectum. in the low rectum it was commonly T2 stage and in high rectum T4b was predominant. Further studies are needed.