Organ preservation without surgery
Monday, 30 November 2026, 11:15 am
Gabor Liposits & Markus Glatzer
Can we treat the tumour and spare the organ? Gabor Liposits and Markus Glatzer explore the potential of modern systemic therapy and radiotherapy to induce a complete clinical response in selected rectal cancer patients, thereby opening the door to non-operative management. The crux of the matter lies in the selection of patients, the assessment of responses, and the evidence supporting watch-and-wait strategies, with the utmost priority placed on oncological safety. A multidisciplinary look at when surgery may be avoidable, and what rigorous surveillance must follow.
About the speakers
Gabor Liposits is a medical oncologist with a clinical and research focus on gastrointestinal cancers, particularly colorectal cancer, with a strong interest in patient-centred treatment strategies and personalised decision-making.
Markus Glatzer is a radiation oncologist specialising in modern radiotherapy and multidisciplinary management of cancer patients, with a particular focus on integrating radiotherapy into complex treatment pathways. Together, they bring the medical- and radiation-oncology perspectives to the question of when effective non-surgical treatment and careful response assessment may allow selected rectal cancer patients to preserve their organ.
Care Symposium 2026
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