Letter

MRI in predicting curative resection of rectal cancer: New dilemma in multidisciplinary team management

BMJ 2006; 333 doi: 10.1136/bmj.333.7572.808 (Published 12 October 2006)
Cite this as: BMJ 2006;333:808.1

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  1. R J Heald, surgical director (Completeresponse@pelicancancer.org)1,
  2. Brian D P O'Neill, clinical oncology research fellow2,
  3. Brendan Moran, consultant surgeon2,
  4. Gina Brown, consultant radiologist3,
  5. Ara W Darzi, honorary consultant3,
  6. Andrew C Wotherspoon, consultant histopathologist3,
  7. David Cunningham, consultant medical oncologist3,
  8. Diana M Tait, consultant medical oncologist3
  1. 1 Pelican Cancer Foundation, Basingstoke RG24 9NA
  2. 2 Pelican Cancer Foundation, Basingstoke RG24 9NA,
  3. 3 Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ

    EDITOR—Tumour shrinkage by preoperative chemoradiotherapy is now an everyday reality, and pathological complete responses are not uncommon.1 A “new dilemma” is posed by the apparent complete disappearance of cancer on magnetic resonance imaging, and often clinically, after chemoradiotherapy. A delay of six to 10 weeks is usual before operating—a time perceived as a “window of opportunity,” as regrowth in the irradiated area …

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