DCE-MRI-Derived Parameters as Predictors of Response to Neo-Adjuvant Chemoradiation Treatment of Rectal Carcinoma.

Background: Preoperative combined chemoradiation treatment (CRT) is now accepted as the treatment of choice due to its benefits of decreasing the primary tumor volume and enhancing the sphincter preservation surgery. Determining whether a patient is responding to therapy is crucial for rectal cancer patients who may benefit from prompt treatment modifications.

Objective: To evaluate the use of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in predicting the treatment response.