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Comment & Response
June 2017

Inferior Survival Rates After Chemoradiation for Rectal Cancer Without Surgery

Author Affiliations
  • 1Angelita & Joaquim Gama Institute, São Paulo/SP, Brazil
  • 2Colorectal Surgery Division, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo/SP, Brazil
  • 3Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research São Paulo Branch, São Paulo/SP, Brazil
JAMA Oncol. 2017;3(6):859. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2016.6618

To the Editor We read with interest the report by Ellis et al1 suggesting a word of caution regarding no surgery following neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) for rectal cancer. The authors warn readers about the risks of inferior survival rates in patients with rectal cancer who never underwent surgical resection, suggesting a link between these unfavorable outcomes and the watch and wait approach. However, the unaware reader may miss the flaws of the study that may lead to an entirely different message.

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