Introduction

Fernando Rivera
Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander

Dear Friend,

On behalf of the Spanish Group for the Treatment of Digestive Tumors, I am honored to invite you to attend the XVII International Symposium of our group which will take place for the first time in Santander on December 10^th and 11^th 2009.

The first day we will begin by dealing with the general topics of molecular biology in relation to digestive tumors. Following we will focus on colon and rectal cancer, which will be the epicenter of the symposium due to both its frequency and the significant advances that have been achieved in recent years. We will be tackling both localized colon rectal tumors as well as those that have metastasized and we will delve into the latest developments in areas that include molecular biology, the management of inherited tumors, the role of self-expandable metallic prostheses, the most updated advances in surgery, special needs required for the elderly, the development of new systematic treatments, with a special emphasis on pharmaceutical products dealing with therapeutic targeting, and the extremely important and current topic of the efficiency of predictive biomarkers.

The second day will begin with a discussion of gastric and pancreatic cancer, two tumors which, despite significant advances in recent years, continue to have a very grim prognosis. We will do so by analyzing the latest data and updating advances in the treatment of both the localized and advanced disease. We will also include a talk about the importance of thromboembolic disease on these patients.

The symposium will close with a session which includes two topics that have stirred controversy of late and which will include an interactive debate to increase attendee participation. The first of these topics is the role of radiotherapy in resectable pancreatic cancer and the second will deal with drug treatment facing new therapeutic targeting (monoclonal anti EGFR or Bevacizumab) in first- line treatment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer without mutations in K-RAS.

We will be counting on the participation of specialists of both national and international renown who are involved in the management of digestive tumors and who will undoubtedly enhance the educational value of the symposium.

We hope that you find the program worthwhile and professionally stimulating and that we can count on your valuable presence.

Kind regards.