Near complete response: what to do now?
Monday, 30 November 2026, 3:20 pm
Geerard Beets
Geerard Beets contests the notion that a near-complete response should invariably result in TME, as further tumour regression remains a possibility. A meticulous re-evaluation employing DRE, endoscopy and MRI can identify patients who are eligible for ongoing observation and organ preservation, with close surveillance. Prior to determining whether to operate or await events, he advances a compelling argument for establishing a clear and reproducible definition of a near-complete response.
About Geerard Beets
Geerard Beets is Professor of Surgery at Maastricht University Medical Center and a leading figure in academic colorectal surgery in Europe. His work has contributed to the use of MRI for rectal-cancer staging and circumferential resection-margin assessment, as well as to organ-preserving strategies and improving oncological and quality-of-life outcomes. He is President of the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO) and has published extensively on the multidisciplinary management and surgical treatment of rectal cancer.
European Colorectal Congress 2026
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