Rectal cancer patients younger than 50 years lack a survival benefit from <scp>NCCN</scp> guideline–directed treatment for stage <scp>II</scp> and <scp>III</scp> disease

Abstract

Age-specific survival data for patients with rectal cancer treated with curative intent do not support an overall survival benefit from NCCN guideline-driven therapy for stage II and III patients younger than 50 years. These data suggest that early-onset disease may differ biologically and in its response to multimodality therapy.