Publication Name	World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
Manuscript ID	120399
DOI	10.4240/wjgs.120399
Country	China

Category	Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Manuscript Type	Retrospective Study
Article Title	Postoperative circulating tumor DNA detection predicts recurrence and guides adjuvant chemotherapy duration in high-risk stage III colorectal cancer
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Xiao-Xi Guo, Jian-Zhong Deng, Long-Qing Cheng, Yi-Ban Lin, Ting Cao, Jie-Lan Feng, Ya-Nan Gao, Xian-Sheng Yang and Shan-Shan Liang
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number Foshan Self-funded Science and Technology Project No. 2220001004876
Corresponding Author	Shan-Shan Liang, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan (Southern University of Science and Technology Affiliated Foshan Hospital), No. 81 Lingnan Avenue, Chancheng District, Foshan 528248, Guangdong Province, China. lsshan5639@163.com
Key Words	Colorectal cancer; Circulating tumor DNA; Recurrence; Adjuvant chemotherapy; Prognosis
Core Tip	Postoperative circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) provides early risk stratification in high-risk stage III colorectal cancer. In this retrospective cohort of 50 patients with T4 or N2 disease, ctDNA positivity four weeks after surgery was independently associated with poorer recurrence-free survival and earlier recurrence, with an approximately fourfold higher adjusted recurrence risk. Exploratory analyses suggested that ctDNA status may help inform adjuvant capecitabine plus oxaliplatin duration, although no significant within-group difference was observed between 3- and 6-month treatment. These findings support ctDNA as a promising biomarker requiring prospective validation.
Citation	Guo XX, Deng JZ, Cheng LQ, Lin YB, Cao T, Feng JL, Gao YN, Yang XS, Liang SS. Postoperative circulating tumor DNA detection predicts recurrence and guides adjuvant chemotherapy duration in high-risk stage III colorectal cancer. World J Gastrointest Surg 2026; In press DOI: https://doi.org/10.4240/wjgs.120399
PDF	120399-in-press.pdf

Received	2026-04-08 10:02
Peer-Review Started	2026-04-08 10:02
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-04-23 03:17
Return for Revision	2026-04-23 03:17
Revised	2026-05-22 15:25
Publication Fee Transferred	2026-05-30 03:35
Second Decision by Editor	2026-07-27 02:44
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-07-28 13:23
Articles in Press	2026-07-28 13:23
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-9366 (online)
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