Circulating tumour DNA and risk of recurrence in patients with asymptomatic versus symptomatic colorectal cancer.

Background: Multiple initiatives aim to develop circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) tests for early cancer detection in asymptomatic individuals. The few studies describing ctDNA-testing in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients report lower ctDNA detection in the asymptomatic patients. Here, we explore if asymptomatic patients differ from symptomatic patients e.

Impact of Whole Genome Doubling on Detection of Circulating Tumor DNA in Colorectal Cancer.

Objective: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a candidate biomarker of cancer with practice-changing potential in the detection of both early and residual disease. Disease stage and tumor size affect the probability of ctDNA detection, whereas little is known about the influence of other tumor characteristics on ctDNA detection. This study investigates the impact of tumor cell whole-genome doubling (WGD) on the detection of ctDNA in plasma collected preoperatively from newly diagnosed colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

Training of radiology specialists in local staging of primary rectal cancer on MRI: a prospective intervention study exploring the impact of various educational elements on the interpretive performance.

Background: MRI interpretation and accurate radiological staging are crucial to the important treatment decisions and a consequent successful patient outcome in rectal cancer.

Aims: To investigate the effect of intensive training on rectal cancer MRI staging performance of radiologists and the impact of different course elements on learning outcomes.

Methods: In this prospective intervention study, 17 radiology specialists and 1 radiology registrar participated in a training programme including a 6-hour imaging workshop, a 3-hour session of individual feedback and independent MRI readings of primary rectal cancer cases.

Diagnostic performance of MRI and endoscopy for assessing complete response in rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: a systematic review of the literature.

Background: The diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modalities and/or endoscopy for assessing complete response in rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) is unclear.

Purpose: To summarize existing evidence on the diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted MRI, perfusion-weighted MRI, T2-weighted MR tumor regression grade, and/or endoscopy for assessing complete tumor response after nCRT.

Material And Methods: MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched.

Postoperative MRI Findings Following Conventional and Extralevator Abdominoperineal Excision in Low Rectal Cancer.

The disparity in outcomes for low rectal cancer may reflect differences in operative approach and quality. The extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE) was developed to reduce margin involvement in low rectal cancers by widening the excision of the conventional abdominoperineal excision (c-APE) to include the posterior pelvic diaphragm. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and localization of inadvertent residual pelvic diaphragm on postoperative MRI after intended ELAPE and c-APE.

Cancer of the upper rectum.

Rectal cancer constitutes one-third of all colorectal cancers, and the incidence in Denmark increasing. In 2012, 1.400 cases were registered, and of these 38% were located in the upper rectum.

Objective measurement of the distal resection margin by MRI of the fresh and fixed specimen after partial mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: 5 cm is not just 5 cm and depends on when measured.

Background: Most studies have directly established the optimal perioperative in situ clearance margin in surgery for rectal cancer from the histologically observed extent of distal spread, neglecting the tissue variability that occurs after resection and fixation of the rectal specimen.

Purpose: To measure the length of the distal resection margin in the fresh and fixed specimen following partial mesorectal excision for rectal cancer using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to document tissue shrinkage after surgical removal and fixation.

Material And Methods: The length of the distal resection margin was measured by MRI of the fresh and fixed specimen and at histopathological examination of the fixed specimen in 10 patients who underwent surgery for upper rectal cancer.