Surgery for Gastrointestinal Cancers: From Predictive and Prognostic Biomarkers to Advances in the Prevention of Complications and Improvement of Oncological Outcomes

Dear Colleagues,

Gastrointestinal malignancies constitute a common etiology of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Open and laparoscopic surgery is primarily employed for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, and surgical management can provide a valuable opportunity for therapy and prolonged survival. Nevertheless, gastrointestinal cancer surgery is associated with significant postoperative morbidity and mortality. Thus far, the search for improved predictive and prognostic biomarkers remains a subject of significant interest and one of the most active fields of scientific study. Such biomarkers have started a revolution in the area of gastrointestinal cancer surgery. Advances in technology, including near-infrared fluorescence-guided surgery and the development of innovative strategies, can also aid in the prevention of life-threatening postoperative complications and in the evaluation of the spread of tumor cells to lymph nodes and distant organs. Currently, significant attention is being paid to lymph node mapping, which is considered a standard technique for identifying the presence of lymph node metastases. This Special Issue aims to highlight the impact of biomarkers in gastrointestinal cancer surgery. It will also elucidate the latest advances in the development of effective strategies for the prevention of postoperative complications, improving patients' postoperative recovery, quality of life and the outcomes of oncological surgery.    

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Michail Pitiakoudis
Guest Editor

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• biomarkers
• complications
• prognosis
• gastrointestinal cancer surgery
• gastrointestinal cancer
• surgical oncology
• fluorescence-guided surgery
• metastases
• quality of life
• outcomes