Colorectal cancer is a very common cancer over the world. It is the third most common cancer worldwide, accounting for about 10% of all cancer cases. It is also considered as the second leading cause of cancer related death worldwide as per WHO. It is affecting older individuals with majority of people aged 50 years and above. Early detection and accurate staging of colon cancer are critical for improving patient outcomes, guiding treatment plans, and monitoring prognosis. CT imaging (especially contrast-enhanced CT) is commonly used for assessing the primary tumor, lymph node involvement, and metastases in colon cancer.
Despite the widespread use of CT in colon cancer diagnosis and staging, there remains a significant challenge in accurately predicting the visibility of the primary tumor and assessing nodal involvement. In some cases, small tumors or lymph nodes may be difficult to identify, leading to under staging or over staging of the disease. This discrepancy between imaging results and histopathological findings can affect clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. Histopathology, obtained from surgical biopsy or resection, is considered the gold standard for definitive diagnosis and staging.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of CT images to predict the visibility of the primary tumor and lymph node involvement in colon cancer, and to assess how these predictions correlate with final histopathological findings. By establishing a clearer relationship between CT imaging and histopathology, this research aims to improve the accuracy of preoperative colon cancer staging, aiding in better treatment planning and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.