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Are There Functional Imaging Markers to Consider for Treatment Decision Making?

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Multidisciplinary Management of Rectal Cancer

Abstract

We have entered a new era where imaging not only provides information on tumour size and morphology, but also on functional characteristics of the tumour thereby offering valuable insights into tumour biology, e.g. cellularity, metabolism and vascularity. So far, the largest body of evidence exists for positron emission tomography (PET), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perfusion imaging. DWI has so far mainly proven valuable for response evaluation after CRT, while PET seems to be particularly promising for early evaluation of response. Perfusion CT seems to be of value for assessment of unfavourable tumour characteristics, while dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI may predict and identify responders. Future large and prospective validation will need to determine the definite clinical value of these techniques.

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Abbreviations

ADC:

Apparent diffusion coefficient

AUC:

Area under the curve

CEA:

Carcinoembryonic antigen

CRT:

Chemoradiotherapy

CT:

Computed tomography

DCE:

Dynamic contrast enhanced

DFS:

Disease free survival

DWI:

Diffusion-weighted (magnetic resonance) imaging

FMISO:

Fluoromisonidazole

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

MVD:

Microvessel density

N-stage:

Nodal stage

OS:

Overall survival

PET/FDG-PET:

Positron emission tomography/18F-fluorodeoxygenase positron emission tomography

RI:

Response Index

SUV:

Standardized uptake value

TME:

Total mesorectal excision

TNM:

Tumour Node Metastasis

T-stage:

Tumour stage

TTP:

Time to peak

Ve:

Volume of extracellular space

VEGF:

Vascular endothelial growth factor

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 90203, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Doenja M. J. Lambregts MD, Monique Maas MD, PhD & Regina G. H. Beets-Tan MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Doenja M. J. Lambregts MD
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  2. Monique Maas MD, PhD
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  3. Regina G. H. Beets-Tan MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Doenja M. J. Lambregts MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Università Cattolica S Cuore, Rome, Italy

    Vincenzo Valentini

  2. Head, Div. Clinical Oncology Research, University Clinic Halle (Saale), Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany

    Hans-Joachim Schmoll

  3. Department of Surgery, Leiden Univ Med Ctr, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Cornelis J. H. van de Velde

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Lambregts, D.M.J., Maas, M., Beets-Tan, R.G.H. (2018). Are There Functional Imaging Markers to Consider for Treatment Decision Making?. In: Valentini, V., Schmoll, HJ., van de Velde, C. (eds) Multidisciplinary Management of Rectal Cancer. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43217-5_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43217-5_17

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-43215-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-43217-5

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