title: Colorectal cancer: current imaging methods and future perspectives for the diagnosis, staging and therapeutic response evaluation.
abstract: In the last 10 years the mortality rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) has decreased by more than 20% due to the rising developments in diagnostic techniques and optimization of surgical, neoadjuvant and palliative therapies. Diagnostic methods currently used in the evaluation of CRC are heterogeneous and can vary within the countries and the institutions. This article aims to discuss in depth currently applied imaging modalities such as virtual computed tomography colonoscopy, endorectal ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of CRC. Special focus is put on the potential of recent diagnostic developments as diffusion weighted imaging MRI, MRI biomarkers (dynamic enhanced MRI), positron emission tomography with 2-(fluorine-18)-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG-PET) combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) and new hepatobiliary MRI contrast agents. The precise role, advantage and disadvantages of these modalities are evaluated controversially in local staging, metastatic spread and treatment monitoring of CRC. Finally, the authors will touch upon the future perspectives in functional imaging evaluating the role of integrated FDG-PET/CT with perfusion CT, MRI spectroscopy of primary CRC and hepatic transit time analysis using contrast enhanced ultrasound and MRI in the detection of liver metastases. Validation of these newer imaging techniques may lead to significant improvements in the management of patients with colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Maka Kekelidze, Luigia D'Errico, Michele Pansini, Anthony Tyndall, Joachim Hohmann, Clinic of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Maka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kekelidze
authors.affiliation: Maka Kekelidze, Luigia D'Errico, Michele Pansini, Anthony Tyndall, Joachim Hohmann, Clinic of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Luigia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: D'Errico
authors.affiliation: Maka Kekelidze, Luigia D'Errico, Michele Pansini, Anthony Tyndall, Joachim Hohmann, Clinic of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pansini
authors.affiliation: Maka Kekelidze, Luigia D'Errico, Michele Pansini, Anthony Tyndall, Joachim Hohmann, Clinic of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tyndall
authors.affiliation: Maka Kekelidze, Luigia D'Errico, Michele Pansini, Anthony Tyndall, Joachim Hohmann, Clinic of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hohmann
mesh_terms: D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003287:Contrast Media; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D019160:Endosonography; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Colorectal cancer; Computed tomography; Contrast enhanced ultrasound; Diffusion weighted imaging; Imaging; Magnetic resonance imaging; Staging