Surgical Advances in the Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers

Dear Colleagues,

The field of surgical oncology has entered a transformative phase regarding the management of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, fueled by innovations in technology, multidisciplinary collaboration, and an evolving understanding of tumor biology. Surgical advances in gastrointestinal (GI) oncology now aim to improve survival and quality of life by optimizing the extent of resection, integrating novel perioperative therapies, and personalizing treatment strategies based on tumor-specific characteristics. While the foundational principles of surgery remain, we are now equipped with more sophisticated tools to challenge traditional limitations and rethink how we approach complex malignancies.

This evolution has been particularly evident in esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers, where minimally invasive approaches, enhanced imaging, and extended resectability criteria have significantly expanded the surgical armamentarium. Advances such as robotics-assisted resections, fluorescence-guided surgery, and real-time intraoperative pathology are helping refine margins, minimize morbidity, and expedite recovery. Simultaneously, incorporating molecular profiling, circulating tumor DNA, and response-adaptive strategies helps define surgical indications with greater precision.

As we push the boundaries of operability, we must also recognize the challenges. Patient selection remains critical, particularly in the context of advanced or borderline resectable disease and requires robust multidisciplinary decision-making. Enhanced recovery protocols and improved perioperative care have allowed us to offer surgery to increasingly complex patients. However, optimal outcomes depend on integration with systemic and radiation therapies. Moreover, as immunotherapies and biologics become more central in GI oncology, their interplay with surgery demands closer study, especially in terms of timing, sequencing, and immunologic implications.

Given the dynamic progress in this field, there is a pressing need to consolidate emerging knowledge on surgical innovation, patient stratification, and outcome optimization. We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, “Surgical Advances in the Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers”, hosted by Current Oncology. Original research articles and reviews are welcome. We encourage submissions that explore novel surgical techniques, multimodal strategies, biomarker-driven decisions, and institutional or regional data reflecting evolving standards of care. Contributions that analyze surgical education, resource allocation, and policy development in the context of advancing GI cancer care are also of particular interest. Through this Special Issue, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of how surgical innovation can reshape the future of gastrointestinal oncology.

Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

1. Precision medicine concepts in surgical oncology;
2. Technological surgical advancements to improve cancer care;
3. Improving patient-reported outcomes after surgery.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Boris Luis Gala-López
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Current Oncology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• gastrointestinal cancers
• surgical innovation
• multimodal therapy
• precision oncology
• minimally invasive surgery