Workshop Date
December 9 - 10, 2025 &
December 11 - 12, 2025
Registration is open NOW - Register here:
Date 1:
December 9 - 10, 2025
Date 2:
December 11 - 12, 2025
Workshop Venue
Martins's Klooster
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwstraat 18
B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
Workshop Language
The workshop will be held in English.
Scientific Coordinators
Prof. Regina G.H. Beets-Tan
The Netherlands Cancer Institute
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dr. Doenja Lambregts
The Netherlands Cancer Institute
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dr. Elleke Dresen
University Hospitals Leuven
Leuven, Belgium
Local Organiser
Dr. Elleke Dresen
University Hospitals Leuven
Leuven, Belgium
Workshop Faculty
G. Beets, Maastricht/NL
R.G.H. Beets-Tan, Amsterdam/NL
N. Bogveradze, Vienna/AT
L. Curvo-Semedo, Coimbra/PT
A. D'Hoore, Leuven/BE
E. Dresen, Leuven/BE
K. Haustermans, Leuven/BE
M. Lahaye, Amsterdam/NL
D. Lambregts, Amsterdam/NL
M. Maas, Amsterdam/NL
S. Nougaret, Montpellier/FR
J. van Griethuysen, Amsterdam/NL
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 potential candidates for organ-preserving treatments.
In this case-based workshop, participants are offered the chance to review more than 100 MRI scans of real-life clinical rectal cancer cases with hands-on feedback from an international faculty of experts. Participants are offered a variety of lectures which include practical tips on how to perform and report MRI for primary staging and restaging, a multidisciplinary perspective from our expert surgeon and radiation oncologist, a future outlook on the role of AI in rectal cancer imaging, and live MDT discussions.
The is a two-day hands-on workshop (‘focused training’), organized onsite in Leuven, Belgium.
Target group
Senior residents, general radiologists or abdominal radiologists with an interest in abdominal and/or oncologic imaging. 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
- To learn the main pearls and pitfalls of MR image interpretation
- To understand the benefit of modern techniques such as functional imaging and AI
- To know the role and limitations of rectal MRI in the era of organ preservation
New Addition to the ESGAR Rectal Imaging Workshop
As an exclusive offer, the upcoming ESGAR Rectal Imaging Workshop will now include a special glimpse into the soon-to-follow case-based Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Imaging Workshop. This unique preview will showcase carefully selected example cases from the new workshop, providing participants with valuable insights into advanced imaging techniques related to peritoneal staging - setting the stage for the comprehensive workshop to come!
Day 1 - Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Primary staging and treatment planning
| 08:30 | Registration | |
| 09:00 | Welcome and introduction | R.G.H. Beets-Tan, Amsterdam/NL |
| 09:10 | Opening lectures - Introduction of course outline & case reading platform (10 min) - Optimizing the MRI protocol (10 min) - Imaging based pelvic anatomy (20 min) - Discussion and Q&A (10 min) | D. Lambregts, Amsterdam/NL E. Dresen, Leuven/BE N. Bogveradze, Vienna/AT |
| 10:00 | Radiology in rectal cancer throughout the years - The radiologist as key member in the MDT (20 min) - Plenary case discussion in case reading platform (10 min) - Individual case reading – learning by doing | R. Beets-Tan, Amsterdam/NL M. Lahaye, Amsterdam/NL Full faculty |
| 11:00 | Coffee break | |
| 11:30 | Cased-based practice: Primary staging of early and intermediate rectal tumors - The challenge of identifying early disease (40 min) - Individual case reading – learning by doing | M. Lahaye, Amsterdam/NL, L. Curvo-Semedo, Coimbra/PT Full faculty |
| 13:00 | Lunch break | |
| 14:00 | Primary staging of advanced rectal tumors - Radiation oncology: what the radiologist needs to know (20 min) - Individual case reading – learning by doing | K. Haustermans, Leuven/BE Full faculty |
| 15:30 | Coffee break | |
| 16:00 | Cased-based practice: Primary staging of advanced rectal tumors - The ugly cases – lessons from the clinical floor (40 min) - Individual case reading – learning by doing | D. Lambregts, Amsterdam/NL, E. Dresen, Leuven/BE Full faculty |
| 17:00 | Adjourn | |
| 18:00 - 18:30 | Optional extra: a glimpse into peritoneal staging - Imaging in peritoneal metastases - a crash course (10 min) - Examples cases (teaser) from peritoneal imaging workshop | M. Lahaye, Amsterdam/NL |
Day 2 – Wednesday, December 10, 2025Restaging and organ-preservation | ||
| 09:00 | Case-based practice: Restaging after neoadjuvant treatment - Why do I need restaging – the surgeon’s view (20 min) - Complete or no complete response: that’s the question! (40 min) - Individual case reading – learning by doing | A. D’Hoore, Leuven/BE M. Lahaye, Amsterdam/NL, L. Curvo-Semedo, Coimbra/PT Full faculty |
| 10:30 | Coffee break | |
| 11:00 | Case-based practice: Restaging after neoadjuvant treatment and during follow-up - Imaging before and after (extensive) surgery and organ preservation (40 min) - Individual case reading – learning by doing | M. Maas, Amsterdam/NL, S. Nougaret, Montpellier/FR Full faculty |
| 12:30 | Lunch break | |
| 13:30 | Last case run! - Individual case reading – learning by doing | Full faculty |
| 14:30 | Coffee break | |
| 15:00 | Multidisciplinary International Tumour Board Moderator: E. Dresen, Leuven/BE Radiologists: N. Bogveradze, Vienna/AT, R. Beets-Tan, Amsterdam/NL Radiation Oncologist: K. Haustermans, Leuven/BE Surgeon: A. D’Hoore, Leuven/BE | |
| 15:45 | “A look into the future” - AI in rectal cancer: current role & future perspectives - The future of radiology in oncology | J. van Griethuysen, Amsterdam/NL R.G.H. Beets-Tan, Amsterdam/NL |
| 16:30 | Closing remarks and adjourn | E. Dresen, Leuven/BE |
Day 1 - Thursday, December 11, 2025
Primary staging and treatment planning
| 08:30 | Registration | |
| 09:00 | Welcome and introduction | R.G.H. Beets-Tan, Amsterdam/NL, E. Dresen, Leuven/BE |
| 09:10 | Opening lectures - Introduction of course outline & case reading platform (10 min) - Optimizing the MRI protocol (10 min) - Imaging based pelvic anatomy (20 min) - Discussion and Q&A (10 min) | D. Lambregts, Amsterdam/NL E. Dresen, Leuven/BE N. Bogveradze, Vienna/AT |
| 10:00 | Radiology in rectal cancer throughout the years - The radiologist as key member in the MDT (20 min) - Plenary case discussion in case reading platform (10 min) - Individual case reading – learning by doing | R. Beets-Tan, Amsterdam/NL E. Dresen, Leuven/BE Full faculty |
| 11:00 | Coffee break | |
| 11:30 | Cased-based practice: Primary staging of early and intermediate rectal tumors - The challenge of identifying early disease (40 min) - Individual case reading – learning by doing | M. Lahaye, Amsterdam/NL, L. Curvo-Semedo, Coimbra/PT Full faculty |
| 13:00 | Lunch break | |
| 14:00 | Primary staging of advanced rectal tumors - Radiation oncology: what the radiologist needs to know (20 min) - Individual case reading – learning by doing | K. Haustermans, Leuven/BE Full faculty |
| 15:30 | Coffee break | |
| 16:00 | Cased-based practice: Primary staging of advanced rectal tumors - The ugly cases – lessons from the clinical floor (40 min) - Individual case reading – learning by doing | D. Lambregts, Amsterdam/NL, E. Dresen, Leuven/BE Full faculty |
| 17:00 | Adjourn | |
| 18:00 - 18:30 | Optional extra: a glimpse into peritoneal staging - Imaging in peritoneal metastases - a crash course (10 min) - Examples cases (teaser) from peritoneal imaging workshop | M. Lahaye, Amsterdam/NL |
Day 2 - Friday, December 12, 2025Restaging and organ-preservation | ||
| 09:00 | Case-based practice: Restaging after neoadjuvant treatment - Why do I need restaging – the surgeon’s view (20 min) - Complete or no complete response: that’s the question! (40 min) - Individual case reading – learning by doing | A. D’Hoore, Leuven/BE M. Lahaye, Amsterdam/NL, L. Curvo-Semedo, Coimbra/PT Full faculty |
| 10:30 | Coffee break | |
| 11:00 | Case-based practice: Restaging after neoadjuvant treatment and during follow-up - Imaging before and after (extensive) surgery and organ preservation (40 min) - Individual case reading – learning by doing | M. Maas, Amsterdam/NL, S. Nougaret, Montpellier/FR Full faculty |
| 12:30 | Lunch break | |
| 13:30 | Last case run! - Individual case reading – learning by doing | Full faculty |
| 14:30 | Coffee break | |
| 15:00 | Multidisciplinary International Tumour Board Moderator: E. Dresen, Leuven/BE Radiologists: R. Beets-Tan, M. Lahaye, N. Bogveradze Radiation Oncologist: K. Haustermans, Leuven/BE Surgeon: A. D’Hoore, Leuven/BE | |
| 16:00 | “A look into the future” - AI in rectal cancer: current role & future perspectives - The future of radiology in oncology | J. van Griethuysen, Amsterdam/NL R.G.H. Beets-Tan, Amsterdam/NL |
| 16:45 | Closing remarks and adjourn | E. Dresen, Leuven/BE |
Registration
Registration is open NOW - Register here:
Date 1:
December 9 - 10, 2025
Date 2:
December 11 - 12, 2025
Registration Fees
| Radiologists | ||
| ESGAR Member ESGAR Member + Buddy | € 1,650.00 € 2,400.00 | |
| Non Member Non ESGAR Member + Buddy | € 1,990.00 € 2,940.00 | |
| Radiologists in Training (Residents) | ||
| ESGAR Member Non Member | € 750.00 € 950.00 |
Registration fee includes
- access to lectures
- a personal login to the case reading webplatform which gives access to 100 MRI scans of real-life clinical rectal cancer cases for one extra week after completion of the onsite workshop
- hands-on training on workstation
- coffee breaks
- lunches
- certificate of attendance
Buddy registration:
Each full time radiologist can bring one colleague from his/her institute and evaluate the cases together sharing one workstation. The combined registration is at a reduced fee (please see above).
The number of participants per workshop is limited and registrations will be accepted on a first come first served basis.
Cancellation policy
ESGAR offers the possibility of ensuring the registration with our partner “Europäische Reiseversicherung”. Thus, ESGAR will not refund any amount after a cancellation of registration itself. All requests have to be issued to the “Europäische Reiseversicherung” directly. Refunds will be given within the terms and conditions of the “Europäische Reiseversicherung”. All cancellations have to be made in writing (e-mail, fax or letter) to the Central ESGAR Office and confirmed.
CME Accreditation
“The Rectal Cancer Staging and Restaging on MRI Workshop, Leuven, Belgium, 09/12/2025 - 10/12/2025 & 11/12/2025 - 12/12/2025 has been
accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) with 11 European CME
credits (ECMEC®s). Each medical specialist should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the
educational activity.”
“Through an agreement between the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes and the American Medical Association,
physicians may convert EACCME® credits to an equivalent number of AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Information on the
process to convert EACCME® credit to AMA credit can be found at edhub.ama-assn.org/pages/applications .
“Live educational activities, occurring outside of Canada, recognised by the UEMS-EACCME® for ECMEC®s are deemed to be
Accredited Group Learning Activities (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College
of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.”
Accommodation
The Martin’s Klooster, which is also the workshop venue, is a very good accommodation option. In addition, the following hotels located nearby can also be recommended:
1. Begijnhof Hotel
2. Cube Boutique Hotel
3. Hotel La Royale
Please book early in order to ensure availability.
City Information
Leuven is a city in Belgium, located in the Flemish part of the country. With a population of about 100,000, it is known for its vibrant student scene, thanks to KU Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven), one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe.
- Language: Dutch (Flemish)
- Time Zone: UTC+1 (Winter), UTC+2 (Summer)
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Electricity: 230V, 50Hz AC
- Country Dialing Code: +32
- Closest Airport: Brussels Airport (about 15 km away)
The arrival airport is BRUSSELS
How to reach the venue from BRUSSELS Airport:
- Trains run regularly directly from the Brussels airport's railway station on Level -1 non-stop to Leuven.
- Travel time: Around 13–15 minutes.
- Cost: Approximately €10–12 for a one-way ticket.
- Getting to the workshop venue (Martins's Klooster): The venue is about 1.5 km from Leuven train station. You can either walk (20 minutes) or take a bus. The bus stop "Dirk Boutslaan" is 400 meters from the venue. (martinshotels.com)
Registration is open!