Magnetic resonance functional and molecular imaging for diagnosis of rectal cancer: Recent research advances

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignant tumors in China. Because of the difficulties in early diagnosis, the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer have been increasing year by year. Molecular and functional imaging plays an important role in detecting rectal cancer earlier and more specifically and reducing patients' mortality. In this paper we discuss the present and future applications of magnetic resonance molecular and functional imaging in the diagnosis of rectal tumors. © 2013 Baishideng. All rights reserved.