International Rectal Cancer Meeting

Fifty years ago, Total Mesorectal Excision (TME) transformed rectal cancer surgery, improving local control, survival and quality of life worldwide.

On 22–23 May 2026, the International Rectal Cancer Meeting - “50 Years of Total Mesorectal Excision: Celebrating the Legacy of Bill Heald” will bring leading experts to the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown in Lisbon to mark this milestone and explore what lies ahead.
 

The programme will address:

- Recent innovations in rectal cancer: advanced MRI, robotics, artificial intelligence, functional outcomes and complete response;

- The evolving role of non-surgical treatment: radiotherapy, chemo-/immunotherapy, total neoadjuvant treatment and “watch & wait” strategies;

- The full spectrum of TME surgery, from open, laparoscopic and robotic techniques to abdominoperineal approaches and TaTME;

- Outcomes in the TME era, including practice-changing clinical trials, GRECCAR studies, stoma decisions, anastomotic techniques, pelvic exenteration and long-term function.

At its core, the meeting honours Professor Bill Heald’s legacy, a simple yet revolutionary concept that established TME as a reproducible gold standard and saved thousands of lives.

Join us in Lisbon as we celebrate the surgeon, the teacher and the global community that has grown from this work, and as we look ahead to the next 50 years of innovation in rectal cancer care!

Full programme to be released soon. Stay tuned.

Registration

Regular: €50 
Students and specialty residents/doctors in training: €25 
Conference dinner: €80 (optional)

The registration fees include:‍
- Admission to all sessions;
- Official attendance certificate;
- Coffee breaks and lunches according to the scheduled programme.

Register here to secure your spot.

Cancellation and disclaimer conditions

Registration cancellation conditions: Delegates can receive a full refund of their registrations up to 30 days before the event starts (until April 22nd, 2026). After this date, refunds will only be granted with a valid medical statement confirming illness.
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All cancellations and/or changes to registrations must be submitted, via e-mail, directly to: ccu.comm@fundacaochampalimaud.pt
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Any bank charges incurred through the reimbursement of a cancelled participation will be charged to the participant.

Liability disclaimer: The organisers are not affiliated with third-party entities for travel arrangements or attendee services related to this event. Consequently, the Champalimaud Foundation is not liable for any incidents or issues that may occur to individuals. The organisers do not accept liability for personal medical expenses, travel expenses, or any other personal expenses as a consequence of accidents or weather conditions.

Insurance: The registration fee does not include a participant’s insurance against accidents, sickness, cancellation, theft, property damage, or loss. Participants are advised to take out adequate personal insurance.