Table 1 Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Americans (see www.cdc.gov). Colorectal cancer kills more Incidence and Mortality of the Five Most Common Gastrointestinal Malignancies Americans than any other malignancy except for lung cancer. The incidences and mortalities of the major gastrointestinal a a Site Incidence Mortality (GI) malignancies are shown in Table 1. Taken as a group, the five most common GI malignancies account for more cancers Colorectum 53.9 21.6 and more cancer deaths than for any other site. Pancreas 11.1 10.6 Stomach 9.1 4.9 Flexible endoscopy has given physicians unprecedented Liver/intrahepatic bile ducts 6.2 4.4 access to the GI tract. The ability to endoscopically visu- Esophagus 4.5 4.3 alize, biopsy, and apply therapy has had implications for the management of all the major GI malignancies. Accepted Data from SEER database 1992–2002 (www.seer.cancer.gov). applications of endoscopy range from detection of mal- a Per 100,000.

In this issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America, guest editors Drs. Kenneth J. Chang and Jason B. Samarasena bring their considerable expertise to the topic of The Endoscopic Oncologist. The practice of gastrointestinal endoscopy intersects with oncology in many ways, much of it involving pre-cancerous conditions. But the endoscopist's role in diagnosing, staging, and treating cancer patients is expanding. This issue is devoted to the current and future role of the endoscopic oncologist, with topics such as endoscopic diagnosis of luminal gastrointestinal cancer and extra-luminal cancer; endoscopic resection for early cancer; and more. - Contains 12 relevant, practice-oriented topics including endoscopic ultrasound cancer staging; management of biliary obstruction; endoscopic management of colonic obstruction; endoscopic treatment of tumor bleeding; endoscopic ultrasound-guided pain management; and more. - Provides in-depth clinical reviews on the endoscopic oncologist, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. - Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

In 74 chapters, Gastrointestinal Oncology brings together a diverse group of specialists to provide the most authoritative, up-to-date and encyclopedic volume currently available on the subject. The first part of this text introduces a series of concepts and topics taht are important to gastrointestinal malignancies in general. These topics include epidemiologic principles, prevention, screening, familial GI cancers, developmental and molecular biology, pathobiology, general therapeutic principles, emerging therapies, and palliative care. The second part of the book covers each of the specific cancers affecting the human gastrointestinal tract. These chapters are introduced by state of the art discussions outlining our current understanding of the pathobiology and molecular biology relevant to each cancer. Subsequent sections describe the multidisciplinary management of specific clinical situations. By organizing the treatment-related chapters around clinical scenarios, the reader will readily find the information necessary to effectively manage the complex clinical situations encountered by patients with gastrointestinal malignancies.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Oncology is aimed at the minimal invasive surgeon as well as at the general surgeon and surgical trainee who wish to explore this field. It covers disciplines like gastroenterology, gynecology, urology, thoracic and pediatrics and builds bridges to oncologists and internal medicine. It gives a state-of-the art overview and perspectives for future developments and research as well. The book serves as an operative guide for a new generation of surgeons and offers the extraordinary feature being a text book, an operative atlas and a quick reference guide as well. The reader is provided with a tool in hand which synthesizes the latest knowledge in traditional therapies like chemotherapies and gives a comprehensive overview how to proceed in treating a cancer patient using minimal access techniques.

In this issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America, we invited pioneers and experts in this field to share recent advancements and expansions of ESD and its technical aspects in different organ systems. In addition, this issue covers the associated techniques of per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) to further advance understanding of the latest breakthroughs in endoscopic therapy. Current trends surrounding ESD around the world—in Asia, Europe, and the United States—are addressed as well. Some articles include videos for readers to watch ESD procedures in action, performed by experts, for easier understanding of ESD techniques. The Guest Editors expect that this issue will inspire more physicians to explore the expanding possibilities of endoscopic therapy such as ESD and POEM and to advocate minimally invasive treatment for patients.

Endoscopic ultrasound has revolutionized the approach to lesions inside and outside the gastrointestinal tract. It has opened the door for gastroenterologists to explore organs outside of the GI lumen, such as the lymph nodes, lung, pancreas, and liver. Endoscopic Ultrasound covers all aspects of endoscopic ultrasound, from the basics to the interventional indications. Richly detailed chapters describe the utility of EUS in different parts of the body and are organized based on body site Pioneers in the field summarize new studies, and the direction of EUS in practice. Endoscopic Ultrasound provides a ready reference that will help physicians and support staff that are beginning EUS, as well as trained ultrasonographers who wish to arm themselves with a comprehensive reference and explore the future of the field.

Gastrointestinal Oncology is an evidence-based, practical reference intended to assist in the diagnosis and management of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. It is designed to be as user friendly as possible and is distinguished by the extremely practical, concrete nature of the information presented and by the multidisciplinary approach adopted. In addition to disease-oriented chapters spanning sites from the esophagus to the anus, non-anatomic subjects such as modern imaging techniques are also addressed. Translational science is supplied where useful in the decision-making process. All of the authors are internationally recognized experts. This book is an ideal resource for oncologists, surgeons, gastroenterologists, and primary-care providers looking for the latest and best information on how to deal with a wide variety of gastrointestinal neoplasms.

GASTROINTESTINAL ONCOLOGY Blends quality research findings with advanced educational techniques in a uniquely comprehensive approach Written and edited by leading international experts in the field, Gastrointestinal Oncology: A Critical Multidisciplinary Team Approach is an indispensable reference for clinicians, medical practitioners, and trainees involved in the investigation, diagnosis, and treatment of esophageal, gastric, intestinal, colonic, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and other gastrointestinal tumors. Drawing on the most current evidence-based knowledge, this comprehensive resource reflects the current care of GI cancer patients, enabling effective clinical decision making and patient management. Setting the standard in clinical practice, Gastrointestinal Oncology remains the only truly multidisciplinary reference designed for the diverse team of clinicians responsible for different stages of cancer treatment. Specially structured clinical chapters, each representing a different role in the multidisciplinary team (MDT), allow clear presentation and quick reference of the contents. This is supported by a wealth of high-quality color photographs, line drawings, and diagrams. Now in its second edition, this authoritative reference is fully updated to reflect groundbreaking research in multiple medical fields, including the explorative use of A.I. New sections on palliative care and nutrition are accompanied by new sub-sections on molecular characterization, new targeted small molecule, receptor options, and immunological therapies for each cancer. This edition places renewed emphasis on the most ubiquitous conditions, such as colon cancer, liver cancer, and gastro-esophageal cancer. Covering the oncology of the entire gastrointestinal tract, Gastrointestinal Oncology: A Critical Multidisciplinary Team Approach is a must-have reference for the entire MDT, including gastroenterologists, hepatologists, GI surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation therapists, interventional radiologists, pathologists, nutritionists, palliative care and specialist nurses, as well as clinical scientists.

Written by world renowned experts in surgical oncology, this book examines various types of cancer and their treatment options based on 'Level of Evidence' tables. The text provides an up-to-date review of the knowledge required by surgical oncologists, from basic biology, to the application of regional chemotherapy, minimally invasive surgery and palliative care.

Building on the foundation laid down by the first edition, the 1998 winner of the Royal Society's award for the Multi-author Textbook of the Year, Imaging in Oncology, Second Edition presents an extensively referenced, evidence-based analysis of the role of imaging in planning treatment. Emphasizing image interpretation for tumor staging and follow