Effect of interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery on disease recurrence and survival in rectal cancer: long-term results of a randomized clinical trial. 

BJS Open 2022; 6: zrac107.

Although locoregional recurrence was higher at five years (10.1 per cent if over 8 weeks after chemotherapy versus 6.9 per cent if less than 8 weeks, P=0.14), disease-free and overall survival were similar in this study that included 350 patients.

Comment: Remains controversial, but no clear evidence here that waiting for surgery is detrimental.