Colon CT Appearances

Rectal Adenocarcinoma CT Findings

• Focal mass
• Soft tissue density
• Thickening of the bowel wall
• Loss of tissue fat planes
• Perirectal fat stranding
• Tissue stranding from rectal wall to perirectal fat

Other Information About Rectal Adenocarcinoma

Etiology:

• Unknown

Epidemiology:

• More common in people of African ancestry
• Typically presents after age 50

Presentation:

• Typically asymptomatic
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Hyperdefecation
• Low caliber stool
• Abdominal pain
• Rectal or GI bleed
• Weight loss
• Palpable mass

Prognosis:

• The 5-year relative survival rates for all rectal cancer is:
  • Localized: 90%
  • Regional 74%
  • Distant: 18%
  • All SEER stages combined: 67%