Selected proceedings from the Ninth Annual Conference of the International Society of Gastrointestinal Oncology (ISGIO) are contained in this supplement to Gastrointestinal Cancer Research. These papers, abstracts, and slides provide balanced information on current research and clinical care issues for a variety of GI tumor types, many of which are growing in incidence worldwide.
The substantial anticipated burden of these malignancies underscores the importance of ISGIO's annual conference, where experts in multiple disciplines in the GI oncology arena present their views to scientists, physicians, physician's assistants, and nurses from around the world. In addition to presentations that cover the current thinking and controversies in the field, the conference format includes interactive discussions and patient cases where participants can debate key issues and the available treatment options for a patient during their clinical course. The opportunity to forge relationships for future partnerships in national and international GI oncology research efforts is another important benefit of attending this conference, and one which will ultimately help us provide better care for our patients.
Attendees at the Ninth Annual Conference, which was held September 13–15, 2012, in Arlington, Virginia, came from Canada, China, Egypt, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States, reflecting the wide reach of the Society as well as the Society's goal to foster communication among the scientific and medical communities globally.
Papers, abstracts, and slides in this issue cover the epidemiology and biology of esophageal cancer, a disease with an alarming recent increase in incidence; radiation techniques used for esophageal and gastroesophageal cancer; chemoradiation as a component of treatment for patients with localized gastric or esophageal cancer; novel therapies under development for colorectal cancer; lymph node counts and survival rates after resection for colon or rectal cancer; current approaches and new directions in therapy for pancreatic cancer; and the development of gene signatures and molecular targets.
These papers reflect some of the progress that has been made in GI oncology as well as the many questions and challenges that remain. I encourage you to attend the Tenth Annual Meeting of the ISGIO, from October 17–19, 2013, in Arlington, Virginia, to hear updates and new information that may be relevant to your practice. Visit www.ISGIO.org for registration and more information about the Society and the conference.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We wish to acknowledge the following companies that have provided an educational grant in support of this activity.
Genentech
Sanofi/Regeneron
Footnotes
MANUSCRIPT REVIEW INFORMATION
All manuscripts submitted to both regular issues and supplements to Gastrointestinal Cancer Research (GCR) are peer reviewed. All authors are required to fully disclose any primary financial relationship with a company that has a direct fiscal or business interest in the subject matter or products discussed in the submitted manuscript, or with a company that produces a competing product. These relationships (such as ownership of stock or significant honoraria or consulting fees) and any direct support of research by a commercial company must be disclosed.