Adjuvant Chemotherapy Improves 5-Year Survival in Near-Pathological Complete Response Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Patients achieving near-pathological complete response in locally advanced rectal cancer benefited from adjuvant chemotherapy, particularly those with ypt1-t2 stage tumors and positive lymph nodes. Act was associated with improved 5-year disease-free survival rates in downstage patients, emphasizing its significance in post-surgery outcomes. Additionally, serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels before treatment and ypT stage were identified as independent factors influencing survival outcomes in near-pcr patients.