Prognostic Importance of MRI-Detected Extramural Venous Invasion in Rectal Cancer: A Literature Review and Systematic Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: Extramural venous invasion (EMVI) is recognized as a poor prognostic factor in rectal cancer. There are well-documented limitations associated with pathology detection of EMVI, including variable reporting and the inability to use it preoperatively to guide neoadjuvant treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected EMVI (mrEMVI) has been proposed as an imaging biomarker. This review assesses the prognostic significance of mrEMVI on survival outcomes and whether regression of mrEMVI after neoadjuvant therapy is associated with improvements in survival.

Methods and materials: An electronic search was carried out using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases using the search terms "rectum," "cancer,", "MRI," and "outcomes." A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out in accordance with Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using Review Manager software. A qualitative review was performed.

Results: A total of 7399 articles were identified, of which 33 were relevant to the review question. After a qualitative assessment, 20 articles were included in the meta-analysis. Baseline mrEMVI positivity is associated with significantly worsened overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-2.54; P = .0001) and significantly worsened disease-free survival (HR 2.41; 95% CI, 2.02-2.89; P < .00001). After neoadjuvant treatment, a positive mrEMVI status is associated with a significantly worsened overall and disease-free survival. Only 3 papers specifically looked at mrEMVI regression, but the results show that persistent mrEMVI-positive status after treatment is associated with significantly worsened disease-free survival compared with a change in mrEMVI from positive to negative (HR 1.93; 95% CI, 1.39-2.68; P < .0001). A subgroup analysis of MRI-detected lymph node metastases showed no significant association with survival, with a hazard ratio of 1.33 (95% CI, 0.98-1.80; P = .06).

Conclusion: mrEMVI is significantly associated with worsened survival outcomes, both at baseline and after neoadjuvant treatment. Additionally, there is evidence that regression of mrEMVI after neoadjuvant treatment is associated with improved survival compared with mrEMVI persistence. The findings of this review emphasize the need for accurate and consistent reporting of mrEMVI status before and after neoadjuvant treatment and support the inclusion of mrEMVI into staging systems preferentially over lymph node metastases.