To assess the impact of wait list time (WLT) on long-term disease-free survival in patients scheduled for colorectal cancer resection.
Key Findings:
602 patients were included in the final analysis with a median WLT of 28 days.
Two-year and 5-year DFS rates were 86.5% and 83.1%, respectively, indicating a stable survival rate despite WLT.
Median DFS was 43 months.
Interpretation:
The study suggests that WLT does not significantly impact long-term disease-free survival in colorectal cancer patients, which has important implications for management strategies during treatment delays.
Limitations:
Single-center study may limit generalizability and introduce potential biases.
Exclusion of patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy may affect results.
Conclusion:
Delays in surgery for colorectal cancer may not adversely affect long-term disease-free survival, which is critical for managing treatment during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and informs future treatment strategies.
