Predicting Response to Chemotherapy in Rectal Cancer Patients Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Diffusion and Whole Tumor Volume Histogram Analysis

Abstract

Background:  Evaluation of theresponse to chemotherapy in patients  with rectal cancer is a very crucial process to determine further management and plan for surgical interventions. This can be done using various techniques, including Magnetic resonance imaging (or) PET/CT.  

The aim of this study: The aim of this study is to evaluate possibility of   predicting response to chemotherapy in  rectal cancer patients using  magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion and  whole tumor volume histogram analysis .

Participants and methods: fortyparticipants were included in this study , prospectively evaluated after being referred to the MRI unit, Radiology department, (Oncology Center) for assessment after being diagnosed with  rectal cancer after performing Endoscopy / biopsy, during the period of (Jan-2019 ) to (Jan-2021).

Results: 85% of participants (34 participants) were diagnosed as adenocarcinoma while the remaining 6 participants (15% of participants) were diagnosed as mucinous adenocarcinoma. 77.5% of participants (31 participants) had grade II rectal cancer while 9 participants (22.5% of participants) were diagnosed as grade III rectal cancer. On performing TNM staging, we found that the majority of cases; 37.5% of participants (15 participants); were found to be in stage IIA. According to clinical response, patients were divided into 3 groups; disease regression which includes 29 patients  (72.5%), disease progression group which includes 6 patients (15%), and complete response group that includes 5 patients (12.5% ).

Conclusions: Performing MRI  with whole ADC volume analysis can be useful in predicting response to chemotherapy in  rectal cancer patients