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Imaging Advances on CT and MRI in Colorectal Cancer

  • Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Innovations in Colorectal Cancer (S Saha, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Colorectal Cancer Reports

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common gastrointestinal neoplasm. Imaging plays a key role in the primary diagnosis, risk stratification and prognosis, therapy planning, treatment response assessment, follow-up, and, to some extent, also in prevention of CRC. The most used imaging modalities for the evaluation of these tumours are computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We review the literature and, drawed on our own experience, evaluate recent innovations in hardware, software (including artificial intelligence), and analytic tools that are opening new possibilities to CT and MRI imaging in CRC. Finally, we examine the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques.

Recent Findings

Advances in CT technology have improved image quality and reduced radiation exposure to patients and have allowed a paradigm shift from an imaging modality that provided solely anatomical data to one that can also provide functional information. In addition, technological improvements in MRI have made possible a faster and more robust imaging technique and the generation of new data of tumour phenotype. All these advances have expanded the clinical capabilities of these techniques in colorectal tumours.

Summary

Recent developments and emerging technologies in CT and MRI are changing the management of CRC patients in many clinical scenarios. Current evidence supports the clinical application of many of them. In other cases, such as quantitative imaging, multiparametric assessment, and radiomics/radiogenomics, important problems of standardization and reproducibility of these techniques persist that limit their introduction in daily clinical practice.

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Availability of Data and Material

Data transparency is guaranteed.

We declare that all authors whose names appear on the submission (1) made substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work, or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data in the work; (2) drafted the work or revised it critically for important intellectual content; (3) approved the submitted version; and (4) agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oncologic Imaging and Advanced Imaging Techniques, Department of Radiology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Choupana s/n, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain

    Roberto García-Figueiras

  2. Department of Radiology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Choupana s/n, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain

    Sandra Baleato-González & María Canedo-Antelo

  3. Department of Radiology, Advanced Medical Imaging, Clinica Las Nieves, SERCOSA, Grupo Health Time, C/ Carmelo Torres 2, 23007, Jaén, Spain

    Lidia Alcalá

  4. Department of Radiology, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología – IVO, C/ Beltrán Báguena, 8, 46009, Valencia, Spain

    Ana Marhuenda

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  1. Roberto García-Figueiras
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García-Figueiras, R., Baleato-González, S., Canedo-Antelo, M. et al. Imaging Advances on CT and MRI in Colorectal Cancer. Curr Colorectal Cancer Rep 17, 113–130 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11888-021-00468-5

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