Chinese Researchers Develop Prediction Model for Rectal Cancer

According to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chinese researchers have developed a prediction model to refine treatment plans for patients with rectal cancer.

The model will assist clinicians in determining the risk of metastases in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer following surgery, selecting patients for adjuvant chemotherapy, reports Xinhua.

Metastasis is the main cause of treatment failure for locally advanced rectal cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy is typically used for remote control. However, not all patients may benefit from chemotherapy, and some patients may have poor results after treatment.

Researchers at the CAS Automation Center and cooperative hospitals obtained magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) from 629 rectal cancer patients and detected radiomic features closely linked to metastasis.

A predictive model was developed to assess patients' risk of metastases in an individualized and non-invasive manner.

Results have shown that the model outperforms existing clinical methods. It will help doctors refine their treatment plans and avoid unnecessary chemotherapy.

Research has been published in the journal Nature Communications.