Pretreatment MRI versus postoperative pathology in locoregional staging of rectal cancer

Deutsches Ärzteblatt international 2026 Open access

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Authors: Sigmar Stelzner, Thomas Kittner, Gina Brown, Matthias Kühn, Reinhard Ruppert, Theodor Junginger, Markus Juchems, Susanne Merkel, Stefan Fichtner-Feigl, Johannes Weßling, Peter Kienle, Anton J. Kroesen
+7 more Volker Kahlke, Ingo Roeder, Ines Gockel, Lars Grenacher, Ulrike I. Attenberger, Kristina I. Ringe, Andreas G. Schreyer
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2025.0226
Cited by: 1
References: 36

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the standard diagnostic technique for the locoregional assessment of rectal cancer. The pertinent guidelines recommend neoadjuvant therapy depending on cT and cN categories. In this experimental study, we examined the accuracy of pretreatment MRI staging. METHODS: , a weighted average of Brennan-Prediger agreement coefficients. RESULTS: =0.579). CONCLUSION: Although MRI remains the standard diagnostic technique for the locoregional assessment of rectal cancer, its accuracy for T- and N-staging in rectal cancer is low, particularly with regard to the distinction of T2 from T3a/b and the assessment of lymph nodes. The assessment of MRF and EMVI is much more reliable.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Colorectal Cancer Surgical Treatments MRI in cancer diagnosis Colorectal and Anal Carcinomas

Publication details

Journal / source
Deutsches Ärzteblatt international
Publisher
Deutscher Arzte-Verlag GmbH
Volume
123
Issue
5
Pages
129–135
Publication date
26 February 2026
Language
EN