Background <p>Imaging is a&#xa0;key component of the management of colorectal cancer. In addition to the endoscopic and histologic primary diagnosis, it provides essential information for staging, treatment planning, and follow-up. National and international guidelines clearly define the role of imaging throughout the clinical care pathway.</p> Objective <p>This review aims to present the current role and technical standards of radiological imaging in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer, with a&#xa0;focus on CT, MRI, and CT colonography in the context of structured, guideline-conforming reporting.</p> Materials and methods <p>Based on current guidelines (S3; European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology ESGAR; European Society for Medical Oncology, ESMO), systematic reviews, and primary studies, the radiologic modalities, imaging protocols, and staging criteria as well as their clinical implications are analyzed. Structured reporting templates and emerging tools such as image-based biomarkers and artificial intelligence (AI)-supported methods are also addressed.</p> Results <p>While CT remains the standard for detecting distant metastases, MRI is the modality of choice for local staging of rectal cancer. Standardized acquisition protocols and structured reports improve interdisciplinary decision-making. Showing comparably high sensitivity for lesions &gt; 10 mm, CT colonography is established in cases of incomplete colonoscopy. Key imaging markers such as circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement, extramural vascular invasion (EMVI), and lateral lymph nodes have significant therapeutic relevance. New AI-based tools have shown promising performance in preliminary studies.</p> Conclusion <p>Radiologic imaging is indispensable for accurate colorectal cancer staging. Diagnostic quality depends on standardized execution and structured interpretation. In the future, automated imaging analysis and radiomics will increasingly inform clinical decision-making and risk stratification.</p>