Pathology examination details have been reported previously.15 All rectal specimens were processed macroscopically according the published national guidelines of the Austrian Society of Pathology.16 Before the study commenced, the gastrointestinal pathologists who were to be involved were trained in the use of the AJCC/CAP TRG system. Pathology specimens were examined retrospectively by two gastrointestinal pathologists (RU and DN) independently and blinded to patient outcome. Discrepancies between the pathologists were resolved by consensus after a third pathologist (EK) reviewed these specimens. Pathological response to preoperative CRT was evaluated in the resected specimens using the four-category TRG system developed by the AJCC and CAP
