Liu S, Wen J, Yang H, et al. - Researchers compared recurrence patterns as well as prognostic factors for encountering recurrences in patients suffering from oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who were treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery or surgery alone from a multicenter phase III trial. In a 1:1 ratio, patients with locally advanced ESCC were randomized to receive neoadjuvant CRT plus surgery (CRT + S group) or surgery alone (S group). As per findings, significantly reduced locoregional and distant recurrences were observed in relation to treatment with neoadjuvant CRT regimen vs surgery alone. Between groups, differences were evident in recurrence patterns, sites and frequency. The S group had earlier development of recurrences, and the CRT + S group suffered late relapses much more frequently.