Neoadjuvant chemotherapy shows promise for survival in rectal cancer

A national database study of locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma patients reveals that neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) combined with chemoradiation (CRT) leads to better overall survival (OS) outcomes than CRT alone. Those receiving NAC alone exhibited poorer pathologic outcomes, specifically lower rates of R0 resection and pathologic complete response. The results underscore the potential benefits of an individualized treatment approach for rectal cancer, showing NAC with CRT offers significant advantages in patient survival compared to other strategies.