PROGRAMME
Explore the Programme
Delve into our comprehensive programme, showcasing groundbreaking lectures, dynamic sessions, and leading experts who are at the forefront of colorectal research and clinical practice.
This year's topics include the regrowth after "watch and wait," the role of immunotherapy in rectal and MSI high colon cancer, and the latest techniques for distal anastomosis, and much more!

How's the programme structured?
The Healthcare Teammate workshop will start on Thursday, November 27 at 08:30, the Main Symposium Programme starts on Thursday, November 27 with parallel sessions in the afternoon and continues on Friday, November 28.
Day 01
Bowel function - I. Geraerts & L. Lauwereins
Postoperative pain - S. Coppens
Sexual function - H. Waelkens
Patient experiences - S. Gijssels
Stoma care - TBC
The OR for robotic procedures - TBC
A one-night stay colectomy - J. Pieraert & L. Vanholzaets
Colorectal care for the elderly - I. Montroni
Introduction - A. D’Hoore
Understanding pelvic anatomy - TBC
TME: step by step: laparoscopic and robotic - A. Wolthuis
APR - Y. Panis
Robotic assisted TTSS
A. Spinelli
Robitic SP TTSS
G. Bislenghi
Lateral Pelvic Node Dissection: when and how
G. Chang
Reflections on Robotic Surgery and Surgical Training
W. Everaerts & N. Van de winkel
Quality Improvement Collaboratives for Colon and Rectal Cancer in Belgium
A. Wolthuis & E. Coeckelberghs
Will AI improve screening endoscopy
R. Bisschops
State of the art: robotic surgery for colorectal cancer
G. Chang
Quality of care in the elderly - different metrics?
I. Montroni
Day 02
Chairs - S. Tejpar & F. Pietrantonio
Radiological staging, the Achilles’ heel?
E. Dresen
The AZUR4 Trial explained.
GJ. Rasschaert
The UNICORN trial
F. Pietrantonio
The surgical perspective
Y. Panis
Expert Panel & discussion
E. Dresen, GJ. Rasschaert, F. Pietrantonio, Y. Panis, S. Tejpar
Setting the Scene: the Belgian data
TBC
YORC - Challenges ahead
G. Chang
Same treatment, same outcomes?
M. Van den Eynde
Beyond oncological outcomes
J. Cornish
Groundbraking trials explained: ATOMIC and Asperin.
D. Arnold
Adjvant physical activity outperforms adjuvant chemotherapy
TBC
The Belgian Oncotransplant Protocol
G. Rasschaert / J. Pirenne / C. Verslype
Chairs: A. Spinelli & G. Bislenghi
T4 Cancers
G. Chang
Robotics for transverse colon tumors
A. Spinelli
Is SP disruptive?
G. Bislenghi
Chairs - P. Leclercq
In early rectal cancer
R. Hompes, B. Bastiaansen
In near complete response
Q. Denost, B. Bastiaansen
Debate
All speakers & chairs
Timing and pitfalls in restaging: after TNT and after Immunotherapy
E. Dreesen / A. Wolthuis
Surgery after Immunotherapy
G. Chang
De-escalation strategies
Q. Denost
TNT in 2025 & the Leuven colorectal cancer protocol: adding granularities
J. Dekervel
Closing remarks
Organise your attendance
Discover all the details about the registration procedure and costs, explore everything you need to know about Bruges and the BMCC, and join us for the TNS Symposium 2025!
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Bruges, often referred to as the "Venice of the North" is a captivating city that effortlessly transports visitors to a world of timeless beauty and charm.
The symposium will take place at the BMCC, an awe-inspiring venue that embodies the essence of modern architecture while offering a breathtaking perspective on the heart of historic Bruges.