Rectal Cancer Terminology: Consensus Agreement of a Working Group of Experts from POPP, AOR, and RATRO

Backgraund. Unified terminology is a necessary condition for successful interdisciplinary communication in oncology. The variety of anatomical, pathomorphological and clinical terms used in rectal cancer (RC) is often accompanied by their ambiguous interpretation both in domestic and foreign scientific literature. This not only complicates the interaction between specialists, but also makes it difficult to compare the results of RC treatment obtained in different medical institutions. Aim. Develop domestic recommendations on a unified terminology of RC for diagnostic purposes and provide radiologists with a consensus methodological resource on the terminology, description and interpretation of RC imaging results. Materials and methods. Based on the analysis of recent domestic and international scientific and methodological literature on RC, the key terms used in the diagnosis and treatment planning of RC were selected, followed by a two-time online discussion of their interpretations by experts from the Russian Society of Radiologists and Therapeutic Radiation Oncologists, the Association of Oncologists of Russia and the Russian Association of Therapeutic Radiation Oncologists until reaching consensus (80%) of experts on all items. Terms for which there was no consensus were not included in the final list. Results. A list of anatomical, pathomorphological and clinical terms used in the diagnosis, staging and treatment planning of RC has been compiled and, based on expert consensus, their interpretation has been determined. Conclusion. A lexicon recommended in the description and formulation of the conclusion of diagnostic studies in patients with RC is proposed.