Results of several clinical studies were reported by oncology professionals at the fifth Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, an important international meeting co-sponsored by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Gastroenterological Association, the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, and the Society for Surgical Oncology. Our review proposes a condensed selection of the major studies presented at the forum, focusing on those that will possibly influence clinical practice.