The ESMO Congress – a key global event for the gastrointestinal cancer community – was held from July 2 to 5, 2025, in Barcelona, Spain. It brought together leading experts, researchers, and healthcare professionals dedicated to advancing care for patients with gastrointestinal malignancies.
Through groundbreaking presentations, multidisciplinary tumor boards, and expert panel discussions, participants explored the latest global research results, innovative therapeutic strategies, and emerging technologies shaping the future of GI cancer treatment.
The ESMO Gastrointestinal Cancers 2025 Scientific Committee selected for presentation the research work titled: “Rationale for Selecting the definitive Stage of Ultra-Low Anterior Resection of the Rectum”, conducted by the team from the Department of Oncology at Shupyk National University of Healthcare of Ukraine: PhD, Assistant Professor Mykola Gordiichuk, Professor Prokip Gordiichuk, Associate Professors Fedot Tkachenko and Anastasiia Samusieva, and PhD students Ihor Rud and Dmytro Morskyi.
On July 4, 2025, during the ESMO GI 2025 Congress, an online poster presentation by Dr. Mykola Gordiichuk drew the attention of leading colorectal surgeons and oncologists for its timely focus, robust methodology, and clinical relevance. The study addressed a critical issue in rectal cancer surgery: the optimal technique for the final stage of ultra-low anterior resection, balancing sphincter preservation, complication rates, and oncological radicality. Despite modern approaches, no global consensus currently exists on choosing between a one-stage low anterior resection (uLAR) and the two-stage Turnbull-Cutait procedure (uLAR-TC). This Ukrainian research sought to address this clinical gap with evidence-based recommendations.
The presented study is not only an example of advanced evidence-based surgical oncology but also highlights the strong potential of Ukrainian oncology. Despite the ongoing war and numerous challenges, Ukrainian physicians remain active contributors to the global scientific community, presenting results that meet the highest international standards.
This presentation at ESMO GI is also a recognition of Ukraine’s role in global oncological surgery and serves as a platform for further integration into international clinical trials, guidelines, and multicenter projects.
