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World J Gastrointest Oncol. Dec 15, 2026; 18(12): 121386
Published online Dec 15, 2026. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.121386
Published online Dec 15, 2026. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.121386
Beyond oncological decisions: The missing perioperative link in comprehensive geriatric assessment for digestive system tumors
Funda Arun, Anesthesiology Clinic, Department of Pedodontics, Selcuk University Faculty of Dentistry, Konya 42130, Türkiye
Oguzhan Arun, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine, Konya 42130, Türkiye
Co-first authors: Funda Arun and Oguzhan Arun.
Author contributions: Arun F and Arun O contributed equally to the conceptualization, literature review, drafting, and critical revision of the manuscript as co-first authors; all authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
AI contribution statement: Large language models (AI-based writing assistants) and Grammarly were utilized during the preparation of this manuscript. AI tools were strictly utilized as writing assistants for language polishing. They were used to improve English fluency, correct grammatical structures, ensure a neutral academic tone, and tighten the conciseness of the manuscript to meet the specific length and readability requirements requested by the peer reviewers. The core scientific concepts, intellectual arguments, clinical frameworks, and the overall structure of the editorial are entirely the original, human-generated work of the authors. AI was not used to generate novel ideas or original content.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
Corresponding author: Oguzhan Arun, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine, Alaaddin Keykubat Kampus, Konya 42130, Türkiye. oguzarun@selcuk.edu.tr
Received: March 25, 2026
Revised: April 14, 2026
Accepted: May 25, 2026
Published online: December 15, 2026
Processing time: 231 Days and 2.8 Hours
Revised: April 14, 2026
Accepted: May 25, 2026
Published online: December 15, 2026
Processing time: 231 Days and 2.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: While oncological planning for geriatric patients has become more granular through comprehensive geriatric assessment, its clinical impact is often limited by a lack of intraoperative integration. Meticulous surgical management for ‘vulnerable’ older adults must be directly linked to advanced perioperative medicine. This editorial emphasizes that adopting goal-directed hemodynamic optimization and immune-preserving anesthetic techniques can help mitigate surgical stress and reduce postoperative morbidity. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that strategic oncological intent is safely supported throughout the most critical physiological phase of the patient’s journey.