CT Findings and Clinical Characteristics of Colorectal Mucinous Adenocarcinoma.
10.3348/jkrs.1999.41.4.719
- Author:
Hye Won KIM
1
;
Kwon Ha YOON
;
Chang Guhn KIM
;
Suk Chae CHOI
;
Ki Jung YUN
;
Byung Suk ROH
;
Jong Jin WON
Author Information
1. Departements of Radiology, Wonkwang University College of Medicine, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Colon, CT;
Colon, neoplasms;
Rectum, CT;
Rectum, neoplasms
- MeSH:
Adenocarcinoma;
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous*;
Colorectal Neoplasms;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Incidence;
Mucins*;
Recurrence;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
- From:Journal of the Korean Radiological Society
1999;41(4):719-724
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To establish the CT findings and clinical characteristics of colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT features of 26 surgically proven cases of colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma were reviewed. The subjects were selected from among 262 patients with colorectal cancer, of whom 40 with non-mucinous adenocarcinoma were included as a control group. Contrast-enhaneed CT images were analyzed for tumor location, the presence or absence of tumoral calcification, tumor shape (circumferential or eccentric, polypoid or infiltrative), tumor thickness-to-length ratio, and attenuation and homogeneity. In each group, the TNM stage of pathologic specimens was compared. During follow-up, the incidence of recurrence, and outcome, were also compared. RESULTS: CT images of mucinous adenocarcinoma revealed intratumoral calcification in three patients (12%, p < 0.01). Tumors were eccentric and polypoid-shaped, with a high tumoral thickness/length ratio (p < 0.01). On contrast-enhanced images, most were seen as a heterogenous hypoattenvuted mass. No differences in T-NM stage were found in surgical specimens. In patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma, recurrence during the early follow-up period is more common than in patients with non-mucinous cancer. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced CT reveals mucinous adenocarcinoma as an eccentric polypoid mass with heterogeneous hypoattenuation. In patients with mucinous colorectal cancer, careful follow-up is required because tumors tend to recur early in the follow-up period.
