Rectal cancer: extent of disease and radiotherapeutic effects by computed tomography

The CT scans of 54 patients with carcinoma of the rectum were studied in an attempt to assess the value of computed tomography in the initial evaluation and therapeutic management of these patients. Thirty-five of the examined patients received full dose preoperative radiation therapy for sphincter preservation purposes, and had two or more computed tomography studies to delineate the progression of the disease and the response to radiotherapy. In 70% of these patients, changes in tumor size were demonstrated. Various aspects in the CT diagnosis of the primary or recurrent tumor extent, distant metastatic spread or involvement of surrounding tissues are discussed.