Comprehensive Overview of Molecular, Imaging, and Therapeutic Challenges in Rectal Mucinous Adenocarcinoma

Rectal cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies worldwide. The most common histological type is adenocarcinoma, followed by mucinous adenocarcinoma. The outcome is less favorable for the mucinous type, yet the treatment course is the same. The aim of this systematic literature review is to assess existing information in order to improve survival in rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma (RMA) and establish a starting point for future research. A systematic search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science online libraries was performed in October 2024, evaluating studies regarding clinicopathological and genetic features in connection with targeted treatment and survival outcomes in RMA, using the terms “rectal cancer”, “rectum”, “mucinous adenocarcinoma”, or a combination of the terms. We selected 23 studies, 10 of them regarding the diagnostic implications and 13 discussing the treatment strategies and prognosis of this histological subtype. There were six studies addressing the imaging aspects, highlighting the distinct features of mucinous histology in MRI. The molecular specifics were detailed in four studies, outlining the molecular footprint. The prognosis and treatment course were addressed in 12 studies. The inflammation index prognosis, complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and surgical aspects were addressed individually in each study. We encapsulated the molecular and clinicopathological characteristics of RMA, as well as diagnostic and treatment approaches, to establish a baseline of references for the benefit of daily practice and further research.