Staging laparoscopy has become routine in such GI malignancies as pancreatic cancer. It has an evolving role in other tumors including gastric  cancer, esophageal cancer, and mesothelioma. Traditional surgical staging of Hodgkins Lymphoma, including splenectomy, can likewise be performed in a minimally invasive manner. Diagnostic or staging laparoscopy can spare a patient an unnecessary laparotomy, or can help in planning multi-modality treatment.
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