A new population-level study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology reveals something unsettling: disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs) like IBS and functional dyspepsia have surged post-pandemic. Compared to pre-COVID rates, IBS jumped by 28%, and functional dyspepsia spiked nearly 44%. But here’s the twist—individuals with long COVID aren’t just more likely to suffer from these GI disorders. They’re also grappling with worse mental health and lower quality of life, suggesting that COVID-19 may be reshaping the gut-brain axis in ways we’re only beginning to understand. Are we prepared for this new wave of post-viral GI and mental health complications?
Author: Abhay Panchal
In a breakthrough that could transform cancer care, Guardant Health’s new study—RADIOHEAD—suggests that its tissue-free, blood-based test, Guardant Reveal, can detect whether immunotherapy is working months before conventional scans show results. In some cases, it spotted non-responders five months earlier than current standards. Partnering with the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, this study spanned over 500 patients across multiple tumor types. The results? A significant reduction in tumor DNA in the blood predicted better outcomes and lower progression risks—without the need for repeated biopsies or delays in decision-making. Is this the future of precision oncology? And what does this mean…
On the surface, the numbers look steady—$12.5 billion in 2024 rising to $13.1 billion by 2035 at a 4.8% CAGR. But behind the modest growth lies a market in flux. Immunotherapies like pembrolizumab and nivolumab are gaining traction. AI is quietly redefining diagnostics. Non-invasive tools like liquid biopsies and multi-cancer early detection tests are entering the mainstream. And targeted therapies are starting to outpace traditional chemotherapy. Meanwhile, emerging biotech players and pharma giants are racing to dominate niches—from adenocarcinoma subtypes to metastatic colorectal cancer. With rising disease incidence, lifestyle-linked risk factors, and global disparities in access, the market is teetering…
GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide have transformed obesity care, offering dramatic weight loss and improved cardiometabolic outcomes. But according to JAMA Internal Medicine and Medscape, many physicians may be underutilizing their full clinical potential—or worse, putting patients at risk. This expert-backed guide outlines five common pitfalls doctors are making today: failing to monitor weight loss effectively, overlooking muscle mass preservation (up to 40% of weight loss may be muscle!), missing micronutrient deficiencies, ignoring the long-term relapse risk, and under-managing side effects like nausea or constipation. The piece also dives into practical strategies: how to assess treatment response, when to switch…
In a growing wave of cyberattacks targeting healthcare, three providers—Texas Digestive Specialists (Gastroenterology Consultants of South Texas), Infinite Services (New York), and High Point Treatment Center (Massachusetts)—have been struck by ransomware, with Interlock and Abyss groups claiming responsibility for two of the breaches. 🔒 Texas Digestive Specialists A May 2025 ransomware attack exposed the personal and medical data of 41,521 Texans, including names, addresses, medical records, and insurance information. The Interlock group, already on the FBI/CISA radar, claims to have stolen 263 GB of data now leaked on the dark web. The practice is enhancing its cybersecurity systems and offering…
U.S. News & World Report has released its annual rankings of the top hospitals for Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, evaluating 1,569 hospitals across the country. The top 50 institutions were recognized for their high volumes of complex GI cases and superior outcomes in treating challenging digestive disorders. The rankings reflect performance across a spectrum of GI conditions—including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cirrhosis, hepatitis, and cancers of the stomach, colon, and pancreas—as well as advanced surgical procedures. Metrics include survival rates, nurse staffing, patient experience, and the hospital’s reputation among specialists.
A massive retrospective analysis of over 83,000 emergency colorectal surgeries from the ACS-NSQIP database (2012–2021) shows robotic-assisted surgery significantly outperforms both laparoscopic and open approaches in select cases. Robotic procedures had fewer surgical complications, a shorter hospital stay, and far lower conversion rates to open surgery (7.8% vs. 24.2%). Adoption of robotic platforms grew from 0% to 6.6% during the study period—and is projected to rise to over 20% by 2025. While robotic surgery is typically reserved for clinically stable patients—such as those with diverticulitis or non-septic cancer—it’s increasingly seen as a viable option even in emergency settings.
Olympus and Revival Healthcare Capital have launched Swan EndoSurgical, a U.S.-based venture developing a next-gen endoluminal robot for minimally invasive GI procedures.Designed to overcome limitations of manual scopes, the flexible-armed platform may expand global access to advanced therapeutic endoscopy.
Two major reviews from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute spotlight a global surge in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers among adults under 50—with colorectal cancer leading the trend, followed by pancreatic, gastric, and esophageal cancers. Published in JAMA and the British Journal of Surgery, the findings highlight steep increases among younger age groups, especially those born after 1990.
In a sweeping 900-page proposal, CMS plans to eliminate the Inpatient Only (IPO) list over 3 years, starting with 285 procedures in 2026—mostly musculoskeletal—and add 547 procedures to the Ambulatory Surgery Center Covered Procedures List (ASC-CPL). The goal: expand outpatient surgical access and lower patient costs. Key updates include: