Preoperative Evaluation of Pelvic MRI Findings in Patients with Rectosigmoid Cancer in Golestan Province, North of Iran

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of death in the world, accounting for 16% of all new cancer diagnoses. Patients with cancer should be closely monitored before making treatment decisions. Diagnosis of metastatic disease is especially important because it has a significant impact on the therapeutic approach. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered a superior method for preoperative evaluation in colorectal cancer.Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate MRI findings in patients with rectosigmoid cancer in Golestan province, north of Iran in 2019 and 2020.Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study that was performed on 43 patients with rectal cancer in Gorgan. Patients with other cancers, metastatic cancer, and a history of surgery were excluded. Demographic data (age, gender, and ethnicity) was obtained from patients 'electronic records and patients' MRI information was obtain through the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) of Gorgan MRI centers.Results: Among 43 patients with rectosigmoid cancer, 65.1% of them were male and the mean age was 58.58±14.73 years. The average mass length was 48.44 mm and the distance from Anal Verge was 69.81 mm. The most common morphology of patients' rectosigmoid mass in imaging was related to Semi Circumferncial (51.2%) and Circumferncial (32.6%). T1/T2, N2a, and M0 with the percentages of 41.9%, 39.5%, and 90.7%, respectively, had the highest frequency in patients. TNM Staging was not significantly related to gender or ethnicity. Peritoneal reflection was also more common in Sistani and Turkmen ethnic groups.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that high-resolution MRI under the imaging protocol for obtaining quality images can help to accurately regional staging necessary for optimal treatment.