Synopsis Currently, there are two radiotherapy (RT) approaches to rectal cancer treatment: short-course RT and long-course chemoradiotherapy (preoperative CRT); the latter is used particularly in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer. Total mesorectal excision (TME) is usually performed soon after short-course RT or 6–8weeks after long-course CRT. The present study aims to compare pathological complete response (pCR) rates obtained after an interval of 8 weeks or less versus more than 8 weeks. This week’s “ MED FACT ” discusses a randomized control trial from British Journal of Surgery, “ Randomized clinical trial of short or long interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery for rectal cancer ”. Authors: E.
Akjun et. al. Key Takeaways Disease regression and pCR rate are increased with an interval between CRT and surgery exceeding 8weeks. Objective: The primary…
