Treatment
RECURRENT DISEASE
OxFU was given using a modified FOLFOX schedulePanitumumab, if allocated, was infused at 6 mg/kg over 30-90 minutes before each of the first three cycles of OxFU. If randomization for panitumumab was not planned, OxCapSurgery was scheduled 4-6 weeks after completing NAC or, for control group patients, as soon as possible after random assignment. AC was scheduled to start 6-10 weeks after surgery regardless of the histologic stage at resection. Despite this intent, if chemotherapy was not given, reasons for its omission were recorded. Clinical follow-up was according to routine practice except that, to identify any recurrent disease for the primary outcome, a full clinical assessment (including carcinoembryonic antigen and a pelvis/thorax/abdomen CT scan) at 2 years after random assignment was mandatory. Six-monthly carcinoembryonic antigen and yearly abdominal CT scans were recommended for the first 3 years.