Low rectal cancer: lymph node size on MRI helps predict local recurrence

East or West? Study suggests the Japanese approach to the disease brings benefit
Reuters Health Staff writer
Ruler

Both primary and restaging MRIs can help define the risk of lateral local recurrence and the need for lateral lymph node dissection after chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy in patients with low rectal cancer, according to a multinational study.

In the Dutch-led study, carried out at 12 centres in seven countries, data on 741 patients with low rectal cancer were reviewed.