Prediction of metachronous liver metastasis in mid-low rectal cancer using quantitative perirectal fat content from high-resolution MRI

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between perirectal fat content and metachronous liver metastasis (MLM) in patients with Mid-low rectal cancer (MLRC).

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 254 patients who underwent curative surgery for MLRC between December 2016 and December 2021. Preoperative MRI measurements of the rectal mesenteric fat area (MFA), rectal posterior mesorectal thickness (PMT), and rectal mesenteric fascia envelopment volume (MFEV) were performed, along with collection of relevant clinical, pathological, and imaging data. Patients were categorized into the MLM group (Group A), other recurrence or metastasis group (Group B), and no recurrence and metastasis group (Group C). Analyze the differences between Group A and the other groups, and independent risk factors for MLM were explored. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test were used to validate independent predictive biomarkers for MLM.

Results

Patients with MLM from MLRC had later pathological and imaging T stages and lower perirectal fat content (all P < 0.05). Compared to patients with other types of recurrent metastasis, male gender, poorly differentiated tumors, and advanced tumor N stage were more likely to develop MLM (all P < 0.05). In Cox univariate and multivariate regression analysis, smaller rectal PMT (hazard ratio (HR) 0.361 [0.154–0.846], P = 0.019) and MFEV (HR 0.983 [0.968–0.998], P = 0.022) were independently associated with MLM in MLRC (HR 0.361;0.983). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with rectal PMT <1.43 cm and rectal MFEV <137.46 cm³ had a significantly higher risk of MLM compared to patients with rectal PMT ≥1.43 cm and rectal MFEV ≥137.46 cm³ (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Rectal PMT and rectal MFEV can serve as novel parameters for predicting MLM in patients with MLRC.