An International Expert-Based Consensus on the Definition of a Clinical Near-Complete Response After Neoadjuvant (Chemo)radiotherapy for Rectal Cancer.

Background: A variety of definitions for a clinical near-complete response after neoadjuvant (chemo) radiotherapy for rectal cancer are currently used. This variety leads to inconsistency in clinical practice, long-term outcome, and trial enrollment.

Objective: The aim of this study was to reach expert-based consensus on the definition of a clinical near-complete response after (chemo) radiotherapy.

Results of a diagnostic imaging audit in a randomised clinical trial in rectal cancer highlight the importance of careful planning and quality control.

Background: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the modality used for baseline assessment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) and restaging after neoadjuvant treatment. The overall audited quality of MR imaging in large multicentre trials on rectal cancer is so far not routinely reported.

Materials And Methods: We collected MR images obtained within the Rectal Cancer And Pre-operative Induction Therapy Followed by Dedicated Operation (RAPIDO) trial and performed an audit of the technical features of image acquisition.

Quantification and reduction of cross-vendor variation in multicenter DWI MR imaging: results of the Cancer Core Europe imaging task force.

Objectives: In the Cancer Core Europe Consortium (CCE), standardized biomarkers are required for therapy monitoring oncologic multicenter clinical trials. Multiparametric functional MRI and particularly diffusion-weighted MRI offer evident advantages for noninvasive characterization of tumor viability compared to CT and RECIST. A quantification of the inter- and intraindividual variation occurring in this setting using different hardware is missing.

Current controversies in TNM for the radiological staging of rectal cancer and how to deal with them: results of a global online survey and multidisciplinary expert consensus.

Objectives: To identify the main problem areas in the applicability of the current TNM staging system (8 ed.) for the radiological staging and reporting of rectal cancer and provide practice recommendations on how to handle them.

Methods: A global case-based online survey was conducted including 41 image-based rectal cancer cases focusing on various items included in the TNM system.

Short-course radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy before total mesorectal excision (TME) versus preoperative chemoradiotherapy, TME, and optional adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (RAPIDO): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial.

Background: Systemic relapses remain a major problem in locally advanced rectal cancer. Using short-course radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy and delayed surgery, the Rectal cancer And Preoperative Induction therapy followed by Dedicated Operation (RAPIDO) trial aimed to reduce distant metastases without compromising locoregional control.

Methods: In this multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, participants were recruited from 54 centres in the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, Slovenia, Denmark, Norway, and the USA.

Basic concepts and applications of functional magnetic resonance imaging for radiotherapy of prostate cancer.

Recently, the interest to integrate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in radiotherapy for prostate cancer has increased considerably. MRI can contribute in all steps of the radiotherapy workflow from diagnosis, staging, and target definition to treatment follow-up. Of particular interest is the ability of MRI to provide a wide range of functional measures.

Volumetric FDG-PET predicts overall and progression- free survival after 14 days of targeted therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Background: To determine whether changes in the metabolism of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) assessed by F18-FDG-PET after 14 and 28 days of treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors can predict overall and progression- free patient survival.

Methods: Thirty-nine consecutive patients with mRCC were included prospectively and underwent PET examinations prior to and after 14 and 28 days of standard treatment with sunitinib (n=18), sorafenib (n=19) or pazopanib (n=2). The PET response was analyzed in terms of SUVmax, SULpeak, and total lesion glycolysis and a positive response (defined as a 30% reduction) compared to overall and progression- free survival.

MRI after treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer: how to report tumor response--the MERCURY experience.

Objective: The Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Rectal Cancer European Equivalence (MERCURY) Study validated the use of MRI for posttreatment staging and its correlation with survival outcomes. As a consequence, reassessment of MRI scans after preoperative therapy has implications for surgical planning, the timing of surgery, sphincter preservation, deferral of surgery for good responders, and development of further preoperative treatments for radiologically identified poor responders.

Conclusion: In this article we report a validated systematic approach to the interpretation of MR images of patients with rectal cancer after chemoradiation.