title: Update on colorectal cancer imaging.
abstract: Colorectal cancer remains a leading cancer killer worldwide. The disease is both curable and preventable, and yet the importance of widespread screening is only now starting to be appreciated. This article reviews the variety of diagnostic tests, imaging procedures and endoscopic examinations available to detect colorectal cancer and polyps in their early stage and also presents details on various screening options. The critical role of the radiologist is elaborated on including accurate assessment of the tumor extent within the bowel wall and beyond and the detection of lymph node and distant metastases. Staging with CT, MR imaging, endorectal ultrasound, and positron emission tomography are of paramount importance in determining the most appropriate therapy and the risk of tumor recurrence and overall prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA. gollubm@mskcc.org
authors.forename: Marc J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gollub
authors.forename: Lawrence H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akhurst
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis; D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019160:Endosonography; D004733:Enema; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007417:Intestinal Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009780:Occult Blood; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D001466:Barium Sulfate