Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Comment
  • Published:

Redefining cancer care: the case for an onco-gastroenterology subspecialty

Onco-gastroenterology is defined as a collaborative subspecialty of Gastroenterology that is dedicated to the unique needs of individuals with or at risk of cancer, with a focus on maintaining and managing their digestive and liver health throughout their clinical course.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Fig. 1: Main elements of Onco-gastroenterology.

References

  1. de-Madaria, E. et al. The present and future of gastroenterology and hepatology: an international SWOT analysis (the GASTROSWOT project). Lancet Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 7, 485–494 (2022).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Grover, S., Lim, R. M., Blumberg, R. S. & Syngal, S. Oncogastroenterology. J. Clin. Oncol. 34, 1154–1155 (2016).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Bray, F. et al. Global cancer statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J. Clin. 74, 229–263 (2024).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Trapani, D. et al. Distribution of the workforce involved in cancer care: a systematic review of the literature. ESMO Open 6, 100292 (2021).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Wadhwa, V., Patel, N., Grover, D., Ali, F. S. & Thosani, N. Interventional gastroenterology in oncology. CA Cancer J. Clin. 73, 286–319 (2023).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Andreyev, J. et al. British Society of Gastroenterology practice guidance on the management of acute and chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and complications as a result of treatment for cancer. Gut https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2024-333812 (2025).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Stec, N. E. & Walbert, T. Neuro-oncology and supportive care: the role of the neurologist. Neurol. Sci. 43, 939–950 (2022).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Winawer, S. J. et al. The future role of the gastroenterologist in digestive oncology: an international perspective. Gastroenterology 141, e13–e21 (2011).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Tabrizian, P., Abdelrahim, M. & Schwartz, M. Immunotherapy and transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma. J. Hepatol. 80, 822–825 (2024).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Rezaee-Zavareh, M. S. et al. Impact of pre-transplant immune checkpoint inhibitor use on post-transplant outcomes in HCC: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis. J. Hepatol. 82, 107–119 (2025).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Marín, J. I. et al. The leading and key role of hepatologists in the multidisciplinary management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Ann. Hepatol. 28, 101112 (2023).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rashid Lui  (雷諾信).

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Supplementary information

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lui, R., Dhanasekaran, R., Tan, Y.B. et al. Redefining cancer care: the case for an onco-gastroenterology subspecialty. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 22, 459–461 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-025-01076-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-025-01076-6

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing: Cancer

Sign up for the Nature Briefing: Cancer newsletter — what matters in cancer research, free to your inbox weekly.

Get what matters in cancer research, free to your inbox weekly. Sign up for Nature Briefing: Cancer