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, December 3 at 08:30, the Main Symposium Programme starts on Thursday, December 3 with parallel sessions in the afternoon and continues on Friday, December 4.

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Healthcare Teammate workshop (part 1)
 
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Healthcare Teammate workshop (part 2)
 
BAST session
 
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Clinical workshop on TAI

A. D’Hoore & A. Van den Bosch

Radiology

E. Dresen

Radiotherapy

J. Verhoeven

Advanced oncology

GJ Rasschaert & S. Tejpar

Robotics

G. Bislenghi

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Introduction to immunotherapy

J. Dekervel

  • What is immunotherapy
  • Different types of immunotherapy
  • The working mechanism
  • Current indications in colorectal cancer 
  • The next big thing in immunotherapy
4:30 PM - 6:20 PM
Plenary Opening Session

Chairs: A. D’Hoore & A. Wolthuis & J. Dekervel

  • A tribute to Prof. Angelita Habr-Gama - R.O. Perez
  • The next big thing in Rectal Cancer Surgery - D. Harji
  • The next big thing in Endoscopy - M. Iacucci
  • The next big thing in Radiotherapy - A. De Caluwé
  • The next big thing in Monitoring Subclinical Disease - GJ. Rasschaert
  • Do we make meaningful progress? - I. Montroni
6:20 PM
Networking Winter BBQ
 
8:00 AM - 8:40 AM
Registration & Welcome Coffee
 
8:40 AM - 9:50 AM
Session I: Early Rectal Cancer
  • Welcome
  • Setting the Scene - P. Leclercq
  • Adapted MRI Technique - E. Dresen  
  • When to avoid a biopsy (ESD/EMR) - V. Van der Voort
  • Rescue after adverse pathology - R. Hompes 
  • Q&A All speakers & chairs
9:50 AM - 10:20 AM
Coffee Break & Exhibition
 
10:20 AM - 11:30 AM
Session II: The Proximal Rectal Cancer Saga
  • Setting the scene - A. D’Hoore
  • Two- or three-part definition of the rectum? - E. Dresen
  • Radiotherapy for locally advanced proximal rectal cancer: Pro versus Con - J. Verhoeven & J. Taieb
  • Any role for active surveillance - R.O. Perez
  • Adequate oncologic resection - A. Spinelli
  • Discussion - Q. Denost
11:45 AM - 12:40 PM
Session III: Advanced Surgical Techniques
  • Late adaptor of robotics - Y. Panis
  • The difficult pelvis - D. Harji
  • Current leak rates in low anastomosis: can we omit a diverting stoma? - J. Lefevre
  • Discussion - R. Hompes
12:40 PM - 2:00 PM
Lunch & Exhibition
 
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Session IV: Oligometastatic Rectal Cancer
  • Setting the scene - A. Wolthuis
  • Optimal timing and modalities for systemic imaging - E. Dresen & C. Deroose
  • Oncological aspects of oligometastatic rectal cancer - J. Taieb
  • Strategy for the primary rectal cancer tumor: resect, surveil, and timing - Q. Denost
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Coffee Break & Exhibition
 
3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
Session V: Treating the Liver Mets
  • Overview of ablative techniques for liver mets - H. Topal
  • Expanding the role of percutaneous ablation - Meierinck
  • Liver parenchyma-sparing surgery - L. Coubeau
  • SBRT for livermets
  • Discussion
4:40 PM - 5:30 PM
Session VI: New Standards in Clinical Practice: updating the Leuven Algorithm
  • A glimpse of the rectal cancer collaborative - C. Schraepen & E. Coeckelberghs
  • The concept of de-escalation - Q. Denost
  • The updated Leuven Protocol - V. Van der Voort, A. Wolthuis, J. Verhoeven, J. Dekervel, Gertjan Rasschaert
  • Closing remarks
5:30 PM
Adjourn – Drink 'Brugse Zot'
 

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How to reach BMCC

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. 

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