Publication Name	World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
Manuscript ID	119040
Country	China

Category	Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Manuscript Type	Retrospective Cohort Study
Article Title	Prognostic factors and optimal timing for initiating adjuvant chemotherapy in stage IIIC gastric cancer
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Jun-Wei Wu, Fan Li, Shi-Dian Wang, Yu-Kun Guo, Bing-Huang Li, Xin Zhou, Guo-Qiang Su and Chuan-Hui Lu
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 81970462 Key Medical and Health Project of Xiamen No. 3502Z20204001
Corresponding Author	Chuan-Hui Lu, /, The Graduate School of Fujian Medical University, No. 1 Xuefu North Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou 350122, Fujian Province, China. 46601533@qq.com
Key Words	Gastric cancer; Chemotherapy; Disease-free survival; Prognosis; Time factors
Core Tip	We identified age ≥ 60 years, carcinoembryonic antigen ≥ 5.0 μg/L, metastatic lymph node ratio ≥ 0.5 and time interval (TI) from surgery to initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy are independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence. Crucially, our findings demonstrate that initiating adjuvant chemotherapy within 6 weeks of surgery significantly improves disease-free survival in stage IIIC patients. Notably, the S-1 plus oxaliplatin regimen exhibits significant time-sensitivity, with an optimal window of within 6 weeks. Whereas the capecitabine plus oxaliplatin regimen does not. These insights provide a rationale for optimizing individualized therapeutic strategies for this high-risk subgroup.
Citation	Wu JW, Li F, Wang SD, Guo YK, Li BH, Zhou X, Su GQ, Lu CH. Prognostic factors and optimal timing for initiating adjuvant chemotherapy in stage IIIC gastric cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; In press

Received	2026-01-21 06:40
Peer-Review Started	2026-01-21 06:41
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-01-27 07:56
Return for Revision	2026-01-27 11:39
Revised	2026-02-09 08:13
Publication Fee Transferred	2026-02-14 16:01
Second Decision by Editor	2026-04-14 02:36
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-04-14 03:57
Articles in Press	2026-04-14 03:57
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-5204 (online)
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