Treatment utilization and outcomes for locally advanced rectal cancer in patients aged 80 years or older

The number of older patients diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer is expected to increase. Although current guidelines recommend neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NACRT) followed by resection, little is known about management and outcomes in this older population. Analysis of the National Cancer Database found that approximately 40% of older patients with locally advanced rectal cancer did not receive NACRT. NACRT was associated with higher likelihood of an R0 resection and improved OS.