MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING TO EVALUATE NEOADJUVANT THERAPY EFFECTS ON RECTAL CARCINOMA.

Although total mesorectal excision reduces the local recurrence rate in comparison to other surgical approaches, the occurrence of local relapse is still common, especially in cases when there is malignant infiltration of the circumferential resection margin. Mesorectal fascia is an important prognostic and diagnostic factor and it may be argued that mesorectal fascia represents the circumferential resection margin if total mesorectal excision is used as a surgical approach. Tumor infiltration of mesorectal fascia warrants preoperative neoadjuvant therapy in order to reduce the risk of tumor relapse.