Advancements in interventional gastroenterology GI tract cancers: A narrative review

Gastrointestinal (GI) tract cancers remain a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, frequently presenting at advanced stages that limit curative treatment options. Traditional management has relied on surgery and systemic therapies; however, advances in interventional gastroenterology have significantly transformed diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This narrative review aims to summarize recent advancements in interventional gastroenterology for GI cancers, focusing on evolving diagnostic tools, minimally invasive therapeutic techniques, and emerging technologies shaping modern oncologic care. A narrative review of current literature was conducted to evaluate developments in high-resolution imaging, image-enhanced endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, minimally invasive resection methods, ablative therapies, and palliative endoscopic interventions across esophageal, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, and biliary malignancies. Advanced endoscopic techniques have improved early cancer detection, enabled precise staging, and facilitated organ-preserving treatment for early-stage malignancies. Interventional approaches also provide effective palliation in advanced disease. Emerging innovations, including artificial intelligence, robotic-assisted endoscopy, and endoscopic molecular diagnostics, are expanding the role of endoscopy in personalized cancer management. The integration of advanced interventional gastroenterology into multidisciplinary cancer care represents a paradigm shift toward personalized, minimally invasive management of GI malignancies, with significant potential to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life.