Relationship between diverting stoma and adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with rectal cancer: a nationwide study using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan.

Presence of a diverting stoma did not influence the dose of adjuvant chemotherapy administered within 12 months after LAR but could have delayed the start of adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with late closure of a diverting stoma received more doses of adjuvant chemotherapy administered over 12 months.