Development of a chart that can be used to aid prediction of hidden cancerous growths in colorectal cancer patients before surgery

Background and study aims
Bowel cancer is a general term for cancer that begins in the large bowel. Depending on where the cancer starts, bowel cancer is sometimes called colon or rectal cancer.
Early diagnosis of cancer spreading to the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal metastasis (PM)) is crucial to optimal treatment selection and improvement of survival, but it remains a challenge due to the high rate of missed diagnosis on computed tomography (CT) images. The aim of this study was to develop a chart for the identification of PM status in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.
Who can participate?
Patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.
What does the study involve?
Patient records of enhanced CT and laparoscopic exploration from 30/08/2007 to 26/09/2019 were analysed.