Slagter AE, et al. - A sub-analysis of the CRITICS trial was undertaken to compare elderly with non-elderly pts. Researchers define elderly pts as age ≥ 70 years at the time of randomization. Three cycles of epirubicin, cisplatin/oxaliplatin and capecitabine (ECC/EOC) were included in the preoperative (preop) chemotherapy (CT); pts were upfront randomized between postoperative (postop) CT (3x ECC/EOC) and chemoradiotherapy (CRT; 45Gy + cisplatin/capecitabine). Outcomes revealed a significant impact of age on toxicity and tolerability of preop chemotherapy (CT). However, surgical resection rates and complications did not differ with respect to age. They identified no differences in treatment related toxicities despite initiation of postop treatment in less elderly pts and reception of lower dose by elderly pts in de CT arm. Further, they noted no significant survival difference.