ROLE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN LOCAL STAGING AND DETECTING LYMPH NODE METASTASIS IN RECTAL CANCER

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the role of MRI in local staging and detecting lymph node metastasis in rectal cancer. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study with 32 histiologically proven rectal cancer patients treated at Hue Central Hospital from 01/2018 to 01/2019. Results: Middle rectum was the most common location (53.1%). The accuracy of MRI in local staging was 81.3%, in patients without previous radiotherapy was 82.6%, in patiens with previous radiotherapy was 77.8%. The sensitivity in staging of stage T2, T3, T4 was 76.9%, 93.8%, 33.3%, respectively. The specificity in staging satge T2, T3, T4 was 94.7%, 68.8%, 100%, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of MRI in dectecting lymph node metastasis was 81.3%, 57.1% and 88.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging is an accurate tool for the local staging of rectal cancer with high accuracy, the sensitivity, specificity. For dectecting lymph node metastasis, MRI has high specificity but low sensitivity. Key words: MRi, rectal cancer, lymph node metastasis