Date/time: Tuesday, 22 September 2026, 09:00 – 17:00 CEST
Venue: Prague Congress Centre
Fees (inc. VAT): ESCP Member €240, Non-Member €300
Course Description
This hands-on course provides a comprehensive and practical overview of the Watch and Wait (WW) strategy in rectal cancer management. Through expert-led lectures and case-based discussions participants will explore key aspects of patient selection, surveillance protocols, and management of local regrowth. Emphasis is placed on differentiating strategies for early versus locally advanced tumours, recognising regrowth patterns, and applying appropriate diagnostic and salvage approaches, including local excision and total mesorectal excision (TME).
The course aims to equip participants with the knowledge and decision-making skills required to safely implement WW in clinical practice.
Designed for colorectal surgeons, surgical trainees, oncologists, and multidisciplinary team members, this course is particularly suited for clinicians seeking to integrate organ-preserving strategies into rectal cancer care.
Programme
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 9:00 | Welcome & Introduction |
| 9:15 - 11:00 | Watch and Wait strategy in locally advanced rectal cancer (Clinical case discussions) |
| 11:00 – 11:15 | Coffee break |
| 11:15 – 13:00 | Watch and Wait strategy in early rectal cancer (Clinical case discussions) |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 – 14:30 | Sponsored presentation |
| 14:30 – 16:00 | Local regrowth: Diagnosis and outcomes |
| 16:00 – 16:30 | How to implement a W&W program – Lessons learned and future perspectives |
| 16:30 - 17:00 | Wrap up/Closing remarks |
Course Directors
- Laura Fernandez (Argentina / Portugal)
- José Azevedo (Portugal)
- Miguel Cunha (Portugal)
- Rodrigo Perez (Brazil)