Assessment of Mesorectal Fascia Involvement

EasyChair Preprint 14613

Abstract

The mesorectal fascia is a crucial anatomical structure in the management of rectal cancer. It is a thin, distinct fascial layer that surrounds the rectum and its associated mesorectum, forming a compartment that contains the rectum, its blood supply, and lymphatic drainage. Accurate assessment of the involvement of the mesorectal fascia by the primary tumor is critical, as it directly impacts the surgical approach and the risk of local recurrence.
The mesorectal fascia serves as an important anatomical barrier, and its involvement by the tumor is considered a predictor of an increased risk of local recurrence and poor oncological outcomes. Consequently, the assessment of mesorectal fascia involvement has become an integral part of the preoperative staging and treatment planning for patients with rectal cancer.
Various imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and endorectal ultrasound (ERUS), have been employed to evaluate the relationship between the tumor and the mesorectal fascia. These techniques provide valuable information to guide the surgeon's decision-making process, ensuring the appropriate surgical approach is selected to achieve negative resection margins and optimize oncological outcomes.
This review will discuss the role of imaging in the assessment of mesorectal fascia involvement, the clinical significance of this assessment, and the challenges and limitations associated with the accurate evaluation of this crucial anatomical structure in the management of rectal cancer.

Keyphrases: Assessment of Mesorectal Fascia Involvement, Sagittal, mesorectal fascia, neoadjuvant therapy, oncological outcomes

@booklet{EasyChair:14613,
  author    = {Oyerinde Bamiyinoluwa},
  title     = {Assessment of Mesorectal Fascia Involvement},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 14613},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2024}}