Radiological Markers in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of radiological markers, including the Likert Score derived from diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) treated with total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT). Specifically, the study investigates the association between the Likert Score on restaging MRI and key clinical outcomes, such as overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP). Furthermore, it examines the impact of other MRI-derived markers-extramural venous invasion (EMVI), tumor deposits (TDs), and mesorectal fascia invasion (MFI)-on disease progression and patient prognosis. This study retrospectively analyzes 179 patients who underwent TNT followed by surgery between 2009 and 2022. Participants were required to have pre- and post-treatment MRI scans. MRI imaging data and patient outcomes, including overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP), will be analyzed over a follow-up period extending until July 31, 2024. Findings from this study may help refine MRI-based prognostic tools for personalized treatment strategies in rectal cancer.