Call for papers - Minimally invasive cancer surgery

Guest Editors

Filippo Lococo, MD, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome, Italy
Peeyush Varshney, MBBS, MS, MCh, FACS, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India

Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 5 January 2026

BMC Cancer is calling for submissions to our Collection on "Minimally invasive cancer surgery." This Collection seeks to showcase research that examines patient outcomes, innovative technologies, and the comparative effectiveness of minimally invasive surgical approaches. By highlighting the importance of less invasive options, this Collection aims to advance the field of oncology and enhance the overall quality of cancer care.

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Meet the Guest Editors

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Filippo Lococo, MD, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome, Italy

Dr Filippo Lococo is a thoracic surgeon with a wide experience in lung cancer research. He carried out his clinical and surgical activity in the Comprehensive Oncological Cancer Center of Reggio Emilia, Italy from 2013 to 2019 and in Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome, Italy from 2019 to today. He has proven skills in thoracic tumors. In his Center, he is a group leader of three multidisciplinary oncologic teams of research: lung tumors, neuroendocrine thoracic neoplasms, and malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Peeyush Varshney, MBBS, MS, MCh, FACS, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India

Dr Peeyush Varshney holds a Masters in General Surgery from SMS Medical College, India after which he pursued his superspeciality degree (MCh) from the prestigious Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, India. He completed his fellowship in liver transplant and hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HPB) surgery under Prof Subash Gupta at the the Max Centre for Liver and Biliary Sciences in 2019. Currently, he is an Associate Professor at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India. His main area of interest is HPB surgery with special focus on minimally invasive surgery.

About the Collection

In recent past, minimally invasive surgery has become standard for treating various types of cancers because of the way it is designed to reduce the physical trauma associated with traditional open surgeries, particularly in procedures like prostatectomy, colectomies, and hysterectomies. By utilizing smaller incisions and advanced imaging technologies such as high-definition cameras and 3D visualization, MIS has improved surgical outcomes and precision, allowing for faster recovery times, reduced blood loss, and shorter hospital stays.

For example, robotic-assisted techniques used in prostate cancer surgery or gynecologic oncological procedures enable precise dissection and tumor removal while preserving surrounding tissue and organs, reducing the risk of nerve damage or organ injury. Similarly, in colorectal cancer surgery, robotic-assisted laparoscopic techniques allow surgeons to perform complex resections with greater accuracy, minimizing the risk of bowel obstruction and anastomotic leaks, while preserving critical vascular structures and improving the overall recovery process. Recent innovations have led to more refined surgical techniques, improved robotic instrumentation, and better training for surgical teams, resulting in reduced rates of postoperative pain, fewer infections, and quicker rehabilitation times.

However, MIS also faces challenges. Knowing when it is the best treatment option is key to achieving optimal outcomes. In some cases, the limitations of MIS, such as difficulty visualizing deeper or hidden tumors, may impact outcomes.

With this in mind, BMC Cancer is opening this Collection on "Minimally invasive cancer surgery." We welcome submissions on the following:

Advances in robotic-assisted surgical techniques
Patient outcomes in minimally invasive cancer surgery
Comparative effectiveness of traditional vs. minimally invasive approaches
Innovations in surgical instrumentation and technology
Identification of optimal scenarios for minimally invasive surgery, considering factors like cancer type, stage, and patient health

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Minimally invasive cancer surgery" from the dropdown menu.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.