Super Session Rectal Cancer 2056: What Does the Future Hold?

Sunday, May 10, 2026

1:30 PM - 2:10 PM ET

Co-Moderator(s)

Gabriela Poles, MD, MPH (she/her/hers)

Associate Professor of Surgery
University of Rochester
University of Rochester Medical Center
Rochester, NY, United States

All disclosed relationships have been reviewed and managed prior to the start of this activity. Any relevant relationships will be listed below. This individual has no financial relationships to disclose
David Stewart, MD, MHA (he/him/his)

Chief of Surgery
City of Hope - Chicago
City of Hope - Chicago
Zion, IL, United States

All disclosed relationships have been reviewed and managed prior to the start of this activity. Any relevant relationships will be listed below. This individual has no financial relationships to disclose

CME .75 hours
Self-Assessment .75 hours

This symposium is designed to update the colorectal surgeon on new and emerging treatments for rectal cancer.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

Discuss options and indications for different liver-directed therapies in metastatic colorectal cancer.
Recognize current use of ctDNA for treatment decisions and surveillance in colorectal cancer.
Explain the role of immunotherapy in the treatment of dMMR rectal cancer therapy.
Discuss treatment options for low anterior resection syndrome.

Presentations:

1:33 PM - 1:42 PM ET

Liver Directed Therapies - What are the Options?
Faculty: Wolfgang Gaertner, MD, MSc, MBA – University of Minnesota
1:42 PM - 1:51 PM ET

Role of Immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer - How Much Better is it than Conventional Chemotherapy?
Faculty: Virginia O. Shaffer, MD – University of Chicago
1:51 PM - 2:00 PM ET

Quality of Life After Rectal Cancer
Faculty: Franco Marinello, MD, PhD – Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebrón
2:00 PM - 2:10 PM ET

Question and Answer