The Role of Radiomics in Rectal Cancer

Purpose: Radiomics is a promising method for advancing imaging assessment in rectal cancer. This review aims to describe the emerging role of radiomics in the imaging assessment of rectal cancer, including various applications of radiomics based on CT, MRI, or PET/CT. Methods: We conducted a literature review to highlight the progress of radiomic research to date and the challenges that need to be addressed before radiomics can be implemented clinically. Results: The results suggest that radiomics has the potential to provide valuable information for clinical decision-making in rectal cancer. However, there are still challenges in terms of standardization of imaging protocols, feature extraction, and validation of radiomic models. Despite these challenges, radiomics holds great promise for personalized medicine in rectal cancer, with the potential to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning. Further research is needed to validate the clinical utility of radiomics and to establish its role in routine clinical practice. Conclusion: Overall, radiomics has emerged as a powerful tool for improving the imaging assessment of rectal cancer, and its potential benefits should not be underestimated.