THE VALIDITY OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN DETERMINING PREOPERATIVE T STAGE OF RECTAL CANCER

Abstract

Introduction: The significance of preoperative staging of rectal cancer with magnetic resonance imaging is initial for the decision on further treatment of the disease, simple surgical or multimodal treatment at an advanced stage of rectal cancer. Aim of the Study: This paper demonstrates the validity of magnetic resonance imaging in determining the T stage of rectal cancer preoperatively, in correlation to the findings from the operative pathohistological material. Material and Methods: 82 patients aged from 43 to 87 years, with previously colonoscopy proven rectal cancer were treated in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – 1.5 T, standard pulls sequences were made: SAG T2, AX T1, AX T2, AX DWI and T stages were determinated. Results: The results obtained for the T stage with magnetic resonance are correlated to the pathohistological finding taken postoperatively as the gold standard in determining the sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance imaging. The sensitivity of MRI in determining the rectal cancer at T1 and T2 stage carcinomas was 86.7% and the specificity was 98.5%. The sensitivity of MR in determining T3 stage rectal cancers was 89.1% and the specificity was 88.9%. The sensitivity of MR in determining the T4 stage rectal cancers was 91.7% and the specificity was 92.9%. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard in preoperative staging of rectal cancer.