Workshop Date
Part 1: Kick-off Workshop
December 9, 2026
Part 2: Independent case review
December 9 - January 2027
Part 3: Meet the expert sessions
January 2027 - tbc
Live Streaming
The kick-off workshop will be live streamed in a Zoom Webinar format. The session times are CET.
Workshop Language
The workshop will be held in English.
Doenja Lambregts
The Netherlands Cancer Institute
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Prof. Regina G.H. Beets-Tan
Maastricht Radiation Oncology Institute
Maastricht, The Netherlands
Prof. Luis Curvo-Semedo
Centro Hospitalar e Universitário
Coimbra, Portugal
Workshop Faculty
G. Beets, Maastricht/NL
R.G.H. Beets-Tan, Amsterdam/NL
N. Bogveradze, Vienna/AT
L. Curvo-Semedo, Coimbra/PT
E. Dresen, Leuven/BE
M. Lahaye, Amsterdam/NL
D. Lambregts, Amsterdam/NL
M. Maas, Amsterdam/NL
S. Nougaret, Montpellier/FR
Description
MRI is the main diagnostic tool used for the primary staging and treatment stratification of rectal cancer, and also plays a key role in assessing response after neoadjuvant treatment to help select patients for organ-preserving treatments.
In this renewed edition of our popular case-based online workshop, participants are offered the chance to review more than 100 MRI scans of real-life clinical rectal cancer cases with dedicated case feedback embedded in the case-viewing platform, provided by an international faculty of experts. The workshop will feature a variety of online lectures with practical tips on how to perform and report MRI for primary staging and restaging and how to apply the recently updated 2026 ESGAR rectal imaging guidelines in daily practice. The workshop will also feature live MDT case discussions with input from established colorectal surgeons and radiation oncologists
This is a ± one month online workshop (‘study at your own pace’), including one full-day online kick-off webinar, one month of case-based online training from home, and virtual meet the expert sessions via Zoom where participants will be able to discuss the cases, get feedback and interact with our expert faculty.
Case review will be conducted using the dedicated ESGAR case viewing platform. Participants will receive complimentary access to the cases and study materials for an additional two weeks after the workshop.
Target group
Senior residents, general or abdominal radiologists, or other clinicians searching to upgrade their skills in clinical interpretation of rectal cancer MRI. At least some previous experience in reading rectal MRI is recommended.
Learning objectives
- To understand the role of rectal MRI and its impact on treatment planning
- To know how to write a good quality staging and restaging report and learn how to apply the ESGAR rectal imaging guidelines in clinical practice
- To learn the main pearls and pitfalls of MR image interpretation
- To understand the benefit of modern techniques such as functional imaging (DWI) and AI
- To know the role and limitations of rectal MRI in the era of organ preservation
Rectal Cancer Staging and Restaging on MRI - Online Workshop
December 9, 2026 | ||
| 09:00 Welcome and introduction | D. Lambregts, Amsterdam/NL | |
| 09:10 S1 – What’s new in rectal cancer? Moderator: D. Lambregts, Amsterdam/NL | ||
| 09:10 Radiology in rectal cancer – – where are we now? | R. Beets-Tan, Amsterdam/NL | |
| 09:30 Optimizing the MRI protocol – current guidelines | E. Dresen, Leuven/BE | |
| 09:50 Q&A | ||
| 10:05 Understanding anatomy! | N. Bogveradze, Vienna/AT | |
| 10:25 ESGAR staging guidelines 3.0 – a practical overview | D. Lambregts, Amsterdam/NL | |
| 11:45 Q&A | ||
| 11:15 S2 – Staging early and advanced disease Moderator: M. Lahaye, Amsterdam/NL | ||
| 11:15 Pearls and pitfalls of early disease | M. Lahaye, Amsterdam/NL | |
| 11:35 Pearls & pitfalls of advanced disease | S. Nougaret, Montpellier/FR | |
| 11:55 Q&A | ||
| 12:15 DWI and other functional imaging techniques | L. Curvo-Semedo, Coimbra/PT | |
| 12:35 Radiation Oncology – Where images meet treatment | TBC | |
| 12:55 Q&A | ||
| 13:45 S3 – Restaging and organ-preservation Moderator: M. Maas, Amsterdam/NL | ||
| 13:45 Why do I need restaging? – The surgeon’s view | G. Beets, Maastricht/NL | |
| 14:05 ESGAR restaging guidelines 3.0 – a practical overview | M. Maas, Amsterdam/NL | |
| 14:25 Imaging for FU after surgery and organ-preservation | E. Dresen, Leuven/BE | |
| 14:45 Q&A | ||
| 15:30 S4 – Multidisicplinary tumour board (using case reading platform) | ||
| Moderator: L. Curvo-Semedo, Coimbra/PT Radiologists: M. Lahaye, Amsterdam/NL Radiation Oncologist: TBC Surgeon: G. Beets, Maastricht/NL | ||
| 17:00 S5 – Future perspectives | ||
| 17:00 New treatments in rectal cancer – how will they impact our work? | D. Lambregts, Amsterdam/NL | |
| 17:20 A look into the future of radiology | R. Beets-Tan, Amsterdam/NL | |
| 17:40 Q&A | ||
| 18:00 Ajourn | ||
Registration
Registration Fees
| Radiologists | Radiologists in Training (Residents) | ||
| ESGAR Member | € 990.00 | ESGAR Member | € 590.00 |
| Non Member | € 1,290.00 | Non Member | € 790.00 |
Registration fee includes
- Live access to lectures and interactive case discussions
- A personal login to the case reading webplatform which gives access to 100 MRI scans of real-life clinical rectal cancer cases
- Opportunity to interact with expert faculty
- Hands-on “meet the expert” personal teaching and discussion session
- Certificate of attendance
CME Accreditation
An application has been made to the UEMS/EBR for CME/CPD accreditation of this event.