title: MRI of Rectal Cancer: An Overview and Update on Recent Advances.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  MRI is the modality of choice for rectal cancer staging. The high soft-tissue contrast of MRI accurately assesses the extramural tumor spread and relation to mesorectal fascia and the sphincter complex. This article reviews the role of MRI in the staging and treatment of rectal cancer. The relevant anatomy, MRI techniques, preoperative staging, post-chemoradiation therapy (CRT) imaging, and tumor recurrence are discussed with special attention to recent advances in knowledge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRI is the modality of choice for staging rectal cancer to assist surgeons in obtaining negative surgical margins. MRI facilitates the accurate assessment of mesorectal fascia and the sphincter complex for surgical planning. Multiparametric MRI may also help in the prediction and estimation of response to treatment and in the detection of recurrent disease.
authors.affiliation: 1 Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network, Mount Sinai Hospital and Women's College Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.
authors.forename: Kartik S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Jhaveri
authors.affiliation: 1 Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network, Mount Sinai Hospital and Women's College Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.
authors.forename: Hooman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hosseini-Nik
mesh_terms: D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: MRI; chemoradiation therapy; rectal cancer; recurrence; staging