Rectal cancer surgery timing after neoadjuvant therapy: balancing downstaging and perioperative outcomes

Unlike previous literature, the timing of nCRT was not associated with pCR, downstaging, intra- and postoperative complications, or incomplete resection. Timing >12 weeks between SCRT completion and TME showed improved pCR with similar downstaging, intra- and post-operative complications, and incomplete resection.