Objective:

To analyze the correlation between pre-treatment apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and pathological pattern and prognostic factors of rectal cancer.

Methods:

The data of 72 rectal cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed

and the ADC values were compared. The ADC cut-off value for each prognosis factor was determined with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results:

The ADC values of different T stages were statistically significant. The ADC values of tumors with extranodal tumor deposits or carbohydrate antigen19-9 (CA19-9) level 35 g/m

L were significantly lower. The ADC cut-off values for T2/T3-4

extranodal tumor deposits and preoperative CA19-9 level were 1.21510

-3

1.33510

-3

and 1.16510

-3

mm

2

/s

respectively.

Conclusion:

The ADC value of rectal cancer is strongly associated with the prognostic factors of rectal cancer

which indicates that the ADC value is a potential new noninvasive biomarker for rectal cancer prognosis.