RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 MRI Lymph Node Evaluation for Prediction of Metastases in Rectal Cancer JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 2757 OP 2763 DO 10.21873/anticanres.14247 VO 40 IS 5 A1 KARIN ALMLÖV A1 MISCHA WOISETSCHLÄGER A1 PER LOFTÅS A1 OLOF HALLBÖÖK A1 NILS O. ELANDER A1 PER SANDSTRÖM YR 2020 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/40/5/2757.abstract AB Aim: To explore whether the size and characteristics of the largest regional lymph node in patients with rectal cancer, based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), following neoadjuvant therapy and before surgery, is able to identify patients at high risk of developing metachronous metastases. Patients and Methods: A retrospective case–control study with data from the Swedish Colo-Rectal Cancer Registry. Forty patients were identified with metachronous metastases (M+), and 40 patients without metastases (M0) were matched as controls. Results: Patients with M+ disease were more likely to have a regional lymph node measuring ≥5 mm than patients with M0. (87% vs. 65%, p=0.02). There was also a significant difference between the groups regarding the presence of an irregular border of the largest lymph node (68% vs. 40%, p=0.01). Conclusion: Lymph nodes measuring ≥5 mm with/without displaying irregular borders at MRI performed after neoadjuvant therapy emerged as risk factors for metachronous metastases in patients with rectal cancer. Intensified follow-up programmes may be indicated in these patients.