Mucin-Containing Rectal Carcinomas: Overview of Unique Clinical and Imaging Features

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to review the unique clinical and imaging features of mucin-containing rectal carcinomas. CONCLUSION. Mucinous rectal carcinoma is an uncommon tumor subtype with a worse prognosis. At MRI, it is marked by T2-hyperintense extracellular mucin. Difficulty in distinguishing cellular from acellular mucin and persistent tumor bulk can cause errors at re-staging Signet ring cell carcinoma contains intracellular mucin. The classic imaging appearance is rectal linitis plastica. Both tumor subtypes have a unique metastatic pattern.