Radiology of anal and lower rectal cancers

Lower rectal and anal cancers are distinct from neoplasms involving rest of the rectum. These are relatively difficult to manage owing to important relationships with the sphincter muscles. Involvement of the latter portends a poorer prognosis and increased chance of recurrence. Lymphatic drainage of these tumours is into the systemic circulation and the exact set of lymph nodes involved depends on the precise location of the tumour. The role of imaging includes assessment of local invasion, infiltration of adjacent pelvic organs, assessment of locoregional lymphatic spread and metastasis, post-chemoradiation restaging as well as post-treatment surveillance.