Table 10. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy stratification treatment recommendations for stage II−III rectal cancer.

Risk stratification for recurrence of stage II−III rectal cancer	Treatments	Recommended level
TME, total mesorectal excision; MRF, mesorectal fascia; EMVI, extramural vascular invasion; CRT, long-course concurrent chemoradiotherapy; SCRT, short-course radiotherapy.
Low-risk group, meeting all the following criteria: 　cT3a/b if middle or high 　cN0/high cN1 　MRF (−) 　EMVI (−)	Direct TME surgery; surgical quality evaluation of TME; postoperative adjuvant therapy is determined by postoperative pathology	Recommended
	If high quality TME surgery is not assured, preoperative CRT + delayed surgery/SCRT + immediate surgery should be performed	Recommended
Middle-risk group, MRF (−) and meeting any or more of the following criteria: 　cT3c/d low, levators clear 　cN1−2 (not extranodal) 　EMVI (−)	Preoperative CRT + delayed surgery/SCRT + immediate surgery	Recommended
High-risk group, MRF (−) and meeting one or more of the following criteria: 　cT3c/d or very low, levators clear 　cN1−2 (extranodal) 　EMVI (+)	Preoperative CRT/SCRT sequential chemotherapy + delayed surgery	Recommended
Extremely high-risk group, meeting one or more of the following criteria; 　MRF (+) 　cT4 　The elevator ani muscle is invaded 　Lateral lymph node (+)	Preoperative CRT/SCRT sequential chemotherapy + delayed surgery/Sequential neoadjuvant chemotherapy + CRT + delayed surgery/TNT	Recommended
Elderly patients with infirmity or severe complications who cannot tolerate CRT	SCRT + delayed surgery	Recommended
Patients who have difficulty in preservation of the anal sphincter and have a strong desire to maintain sphincter function	Concurrent chemoradiation + sequential chemotherapy/SCRT + sequential chemotherapy + surgery/ watch and wait determined by therapeutic effect	Recommended