Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, particularly in those over the age of 50. Given that colorectal malignancy arises from preexisting adenomatous polyps in the colon, screening is important for early detection. Imaging can play an important role in early detection of colorectal cancer. Staging and surveillance for colorectal malignancy can also be accomplished with various imaging modalities including Sonography, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Positron Emission Tomography. This chapter will briefly discuss the epidemiology of colorectal malignancy as well as anatomy and pathology of the colon, including patterns of tumor spread. The role of imaging in the screening, staging, and surveillance of colorectal cancer will be discussed. Clinical perspectives from a surgical oncologist, medical oncologist, and radiation oncologist are also included.