Description

In this issue we continue our series on the interface between gastroenterology
and other medical specialties, by opening the chapter of gastroenterological
oncology. Dr Demetris Papamichael from the Nicosia Oncology Centre gives
us an up to date review of adjuvant therapy for colon cancer with clear guidelines for
the stepwise approach which is recommended for optimum treatment.

Iron deficiency anaemia, though straightforward to diagnose and treat in the
majority of cases may, on occasion, be difficult to discern from the anaemia of chronic
disease. In the second review of this issue, Drs Koulaouzidis and Tseung from the
Warrington Hospital, Cheshire, review a new diagnositic approach, by which to
distinguish between these two types of anaemia.

Our two case reports concern benign pathology which may mimick malignancy of
the colon. Drs Poullis and Howard from St Georges Hospital London, describe a case
of actinomycosis of the sigmoid colon; Mr Vanash Patel and colleagues describe a case
of localised pseudopolyposis due to ulcerative colitis.

Dr Anna Ignatovic, reviews the new edition of the Pocket Consultant in
Gastroenterology, by Drs Simon Travis, Tariq Ahmed, Jane Collier and Hilary
Steinhart : a valuable handbook for new and old consultants, as well as trainees.

Renewal and development of the journal is a constant priority. Our intention is to
make this journal truly international and to expand the readership to the Far East and
Australia. In this vein, I am pleased to announce some changes to our editorial board.
Recently, we welcomed to the editorial board Dr Peter Katelaris, Consultant
Gastroenterologist at Concord Hospital and Clinical Associate Professor at the
University of Sydney. I am delighted to announce two further appointments from the
same hospital; Dr Brian Jones, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology and
Hepatology and Clinical Associate at the University of Sydney, and Dr Gordon Park,
Consultant Gastroenterologist with an interest in Hepatology. From the Far East I am
delighted to welcome Dr Steven Mesenas, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Singapore
General HospitaI. From the UK, Dr John Meenan, Consultant Gastroenterologist at St
Thomas Hospital, and Dr Ian Shaw from the Royal Gloucesterhire Hospital, have
accepted my invitation to join the editorial board.

Departing editors, after making valuable and indispensable contributions to the
journal since its inception, are Dr Jonathan Brown and Dr Roland Valori, both from
the Royal Gloucestershire Hospital, Dr David Sherman from London and Dr CP Day
from Newcastle. To them our grateful thanks and best wishes for the future. Our
trainee member Dr Siwan Thomas-Gibson, after a long and fruitful collaboration has
moved on to greater things and has been replaced by Dr Manu Nayar, Specialist
Registrar in Gastroenterology on the Newcastle rotation.

As part of our development plans we have decided to expand the content of the
journal to include original clinical research articles. I take this opportunity to put out a
call for articles to be submitted.

As always, I look forward to receiving your comments at my personal e-mail
address.