MRI and Detecting Recurrence of Colorectal Cancer
MRI and Detecting Recurrence of Colorectal Cancer
Routine Follow-up by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Does Not Improve Detection of Resectable Local Recurrences From Colorectal Cancer
Titu LV, Nicholson AA, Hartley JE, Breen DJ, Monson JR
Ann Surg. 2006;243:348-352
Do magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans after resection of large bowel cancer improve the rate of resectability of metastatic pelvic disease? The investigators studied the contribution of MRI, colonoscopy, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, and clinical examination in detecting pelvic recurrent disease. If the initial MRI scan was suspicious, the examination was repeated within 1-3 months. Although the specificity and sensitivity of MRI were reasonable, the combined use of CEA and colonscopy gave similar results.
The bottom line in this report is that the 576 MR scans performed in the 226 patients during the study period detected only 4 tumors that would have been missed by other screening modalities. Only 2 of these 4 patients were operable; neither of these patients survived for 5 years. The conclusion is that MRI scans are of limited benefit in the detection of resectable pelvic disease after colonic surgery.
Abstract
Routine Follow-up by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Does Not Improve Detection of Resectable Local Recurrences From Colorectal Cancer
Titu LV, Nicholson AA, Hartley JE, Breen DJ, Monson JR
Ann Surg. 2006;243:348-352
Do magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans after resection of large bowel cancer improve the rate of resectability of metastatic pelvic disease? The investigators studied the contribution of MRI, colonoscopy, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, and clinical examination in detecting pelvic recurrent disease. If the initial MRI scan was suspicious, the examination was repeated within 1-3 months. Although the specificity and sensitivity of MRI were reasonable, the combined use of CEA and colonscopy gave similar results.
The bottom line in this report is that the 576 MR scans performed in the 226 patients during the study period detected only 4 tumors that would have been missed by other screening modalities. Only 2 of these 4 patients were operable; neither of these patients survived for 5 years. The conclusion is that MRI scans are of limited benefit in the detection of resectable pelvic disease after colonic surgery.
Abstract
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