Published online Dec 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i46.17345
Revised: April 1, 2014
Accepted: July 22, 2014
Published online: December 14, 2014
Processing time: 292 Days and 17.3 Hours
Neovascularization was reported to arise early in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence in colorectal cancer (CRC), and the importance of angiogenesis in cancer progression has been established. Computed tomography (CT) perfusion (CTP) based on high temporal resolution CT images enables evaluation of hemodynamics of tissue in vivo by modeling tracer kinetics. CTP has been reported to characterize tumor angiogenesis, and to be a sensitive marker for predicting recurrence or survival in CRC. In this review, we will discuss the biomarker value of CTP in the management of CRC patients.
Core tip: The importance of angiogenesis, which is an essential process of colorectal cancer (CRC), has been established. Therefore, the in vivo measure of angiogenesis such as computed tomography (CT) perfusion (CTP) technique can be a robust imaging biomarker in CRC. Especially, CTP certainly fulfils the criteria necessary for prospective validation as a clinical trial end point, because CT is a stable platform, broadly available, and non-invasive. Therefore, we believe that CTP will plays an important role in the management of CRC, providing patients more personalized and effective treatment.