Fig. 3

Diagrams of growth pattern and measurement of EMD

A: A round mass appeared in the posterior rectal wall, protruding into the rectal lumen. B: Rectal cancer masses grew in a circular pattern along all rectal walls

C: The EMD from the tumor farthest edge to the residual muscular layer was approximately 6.25 mm

D: The remnants of the intrinsic muscular layer at the edge of the rectal cancer mass were marked as points a and b. The vertical distance of 8.92 mm from the farthest point c of the mass to the line connecting points a and b was the EMD