title: Colorectal cancer mimics: a review of the usual suspects with pathology correlation.
abstract: Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and second most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. Initial diagnosis of colorectal malignancy is generally made on colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy or digital rectal examination; however, with increased use of CT as primary investigation in patients with lower gastrointestinal symptoms, the diagnosis of colon cancer is often first apparent to a radiologist prior to more invasive tests. CT can demonstrate a discrete soft-tissue mass that narrows the colonic lumen or focal nodular wall thickening/stricture and a variety of pericolonic changes. Pattern of wall thickening has been described as an aid to differential diagnosis; however, significant overlap remains between primary colonic tumor and non-colonic tumors or benign conditions. Imaging is non-specific, and appropriate clinical history, direct inspection, histological analysis, and sometimes discussion at MDT are essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. In this article, we will review the imaging features of some of these benign and malignant mimics of colorectal cancer, with accompanying histology slides where appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Warrington Hospital, Lovely Lane, Warrington, Cheshire, WA5 1QG, UK. akash.ganguly@whh.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Akash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ganguly
authors.affiliation: Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Warrington Hospital, Lovely Lane, Warrington, Cheshire, WA5 1QG, UK.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meredith
authors.affiliation: Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Warrington Hospital, Lovely Lane, Warrington, Cheshire, WA5 1QG, UK.
authors.forename: Cairine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Probert
authors.affiliation: Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Warrington Hospital, Lovely Lane, Warrington, Cheshire, WA5 1QG, UK.
authors.forename: Jasna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kraecevic
authors.affiliation: Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Warrington Hospital, Lovely Lane, Warrington, Cheshire, WA5 1QG, UK.
authors.forename: Chinedum
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Anosike
mesh_terms: D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: CT; Cancer; Colorectal; Tumor