From the Editor's Desk

David E. Beck

This winter issue of The Ochsner Journal highlights a number of articles related to oncology, following a thought-provoking article by Dr. Neil Baum, a urologist who is a clinical faculty member at both the Louisiana State University and Tulane University medical schools, on balancing your personal and professional lives. The prevention, diagnosis, and management of cancer are a major focus of the Ochsner Health System. Our comprehensive approach begins with our primary care providers and extends to our specialists, who are supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic equipment.

The first oncology article deals with the top of the body, with a piece on the treatment of periocular malignancy by Drs. Hesse, Walia, and Bodman from the Ophthalmology Department. This is followed by several of our colleagues in ear, nose, and throat medicine, who present several interesting articles. A review of sphenoid sinus myxomas is followed by a review of the surgical management of salivary gland neoplasms. Melanoma of the head and neck is a major concern for those of us who spend a lot of time outdoors, especially here in the South: Drs. Hasney, Butcher, and Amedee present a timely review of the pathophysiology and management of this challenging malignancy. An issue related to the management of head and neck tumors is facial reconstruction using flaps: Dr. Anand and colleagues describe variations of the cervicopectoral rotation flap to fill facial defects.

Shifting their focus down the body, Drs. Wardlaw and Smith from Gastroenterology discuss gastric carcinoid tumors, and then Drs. Gerrish and Smith briefly review gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Several Australian general surgeons have contributed an experience regarding laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation and partial excision of hepatic hemangiomas.

Dr. Ramsey next presents an unusual case of breast cancer that was metastatic to the bladder. This is followed by a challenging discussion of the basic science lessons on the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. We conclude the oncology section with another article in our “Guess the Case” series.

Finally, we are pleased to publish several abstracts that document the work of local high school students who participated in an exciting educational program at Ochsner this past summer. Students such as these are our future, and we are grateful to be able to support and herald their efforts.