Oncological outcomes of direct versus delayed surgery after neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy for rectal cancer: national cohort study

Background

After the Stockholm III trial, a trend towards delayed surgery after neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy (5 × 5 Gy) for rectal cancer has emerged in Sweden, driven by the lower short-term complication rates and similar oncological outcomes. This study aimed to examine long-term oncological outcomes after neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy, comparing direct versus delayed surgery for rectal cancer in a real-world setting.