Minicozzi P, Vicentini M, Innos K, et al. - Given surgery followed by chemotherapy is known as the main therapeutic approach for stage III colon cancer (CC) but optimum times between diagnosis and surgery, and surgery and chemotherapy, have not been verified, so, researchers estimated the odds of taking postoperative chemotherapy, overall as well as within 8 weeks of surgery; risks of death/relapse, based on treatment, Charlson Comorbidity Index, time from diagnosis to surgery for emergency and elective cases, and time from surgery to chemotherapy; and time-trends in chemotherapy use, in a population-based sample comprising 1,912 stage III CC cases diagnosed in 8 European countries. Surgical management was adopted for 97% of cases, 65% were managed with postoperative chemotherapy, with 71% of these receiving chemotherapy within 8 weeks of operation. For cases initiating chemotherapy with delay, higher risks of mortality and relapse were reported, but these risks were better in cases not administered chemotherapy. For elective cases treated surgically after four weeks vs cases given surgery within a week, lower risks of mortality and relapse were observed. Always, an independent link of high comorbidities with poorer outcomes was noted. A rise in chemotherapy use over time was also documented. Overall, it was inferred that promptly-given postoperative chemotherapy maximizes its benefit, and that pretreatment careful evaluation of comorbidities is crucial. A survival benefit was reported in relation to slightly delayed elective surgery.