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Foreword: Gynaecological Pathology Special Theme Issue
Pathology (February 2007) 39(1), p. 5
FOREWORD
Foreword: Gynaecological Pathology Special Theme Issue PETER RUSSELL University of Sydney, Symbion Laverty Pathology, and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
As practitioners in any of the healing professions will attest, while there is an important element of personal ‘art’ involved, it is underpinned by a collective science. Nowhere is this more easily demonstrated in modern Western medicine, than in the discipline of pathology wherein all of what we practise closely reflects the aggregated experience and wisdom of others. That we, ourselves, are occasionally privileged to contribute to that experience is a driving force for pathologists, almost equal to the satisfaction of helping our clinical colleagues and their individual patients. This special theme issue of Pathology on gynaecological pathology is such an opportunity, not by personal contribution, but by providing a vehicle for many of the finest proponents of our specialty to give us their insight into common yet troublesome aspects of surgical pathology of the female reproductive tract. The senior authors in this issue are, without exception, long-term colleagues of mine whose work and experience I greatly admire and whose wise counsel I have sought on many occasions and over many years. Most are personal friends. Most have held high office with the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists, in service of their professional colleagues. I am truly flattered that they have agreed to contribute to this special theme issue and, in so doing, have created a reference volume of particular merit. The topics covered are focused on aspects of gynaecological oncology with two exceptions. The lead historical article by Robert H. Young, covers the contributions of legendary and luminary figures (and a few lesser lights) in the evolution of our specialty. Dr Young’s own
contribution, as pathologist and preterist, already enormous and yet unfinished, will necessarily be added later and by others. The other is a truly exceptional reference work on the complex topic of intersex by Stanley Robboy, a cherished friend and collaborator of some decades’ duration. An important theme in this issue is the application of special techniques to the diagnosis of gynaecological pathology, specifically the molecular pathology and cytogenetics of female reproductive tract neoplasms and trophoblastic disease by Annie Cheung, Michael Wells, Jaime Prat, Sigurd Lax and Fattaneh Tavassoli, as well as the application of immunochemistry to cervical pathology by Glenn McCluggage, each article a tour de force in its own right by leading authorities in the field. Targeted articles on the diagnostic pathology of fallopian tube cancers (Robert Young), early serous endometrial cancer (Joseph Rabban and Charles Zaloudek), undifferentiated endometrial cancer (Elvio Silva) and struma ovarii (Lawrence Roth and Aleks Talerman), are directed towards practical case diagnosis. The contributions of all of these individuals and their coauthors, working necessarily to a tight schedule for the special theme issue, are not only acknowledged but applauded. I commend the final product to the readership of Pathology and, in conclusion, hope that it further reflects the fastidious and painstaking editorial preparation of Belinda Neill, our Editorial Manager. Address for correspondence: Professor P. Russell, Symbion Laverty Pathology, 60 Waterloo Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]
ISSN 0031-3025 printed/ISSN 1465-3931 # 2007 Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia DOI: 10.1080/00313020601164015
FOREWORD
Foreword: Gynaecological Pathology Special Theme Issue PETER RUSSELL University of Sydney, Symbion Laverty Pathology, and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
As practitioners in any of the healing professions will attest, while there is an important element of personal ‘art’ involved, it is underpinned by a collective science. Nowhere is this more easily demonstrated in modern Western medicine, than in the discipline of pathology wherein all of what we practise closely reflects the aggregated experience and wisdom of others. That we, ourselves, are occasionally privileged to contribute to that experience is a driving force for pathologists, almost equal to the satisfaction of helping our clinical colleagues and their individual patients. This special theme issue of Pathology on gynaecological pathology is such an opportunity, not by personal contribution, but by providing a vehicle for many of the finest proponents of our specialty to give us their insight into common yet troublesome aspects of surgical pathology of the female reproductive tract. The senior authors in this issue are, without exception, long-term colleagues of mine whose work and experience I greatly admire and whose wise counsel I have sought on many occasions and over many years. Most are personal friends. Most have held high office with the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists, in service of their professional colleagues. I am truly flattered that they have agreed to contribute to this special theme issue and, in so doing, have created a reference volume of particular merit. The topics covered are focused on aspects of gynaecological oncology with two exceptions. The lead historical article by Robert H. Young, covers the contributions of legendary and luminary figures (and a few lesser lights) in the evolution of our specialty. Dr Young’s own
contribution, as pathologist and preterist, already enormous and yet unfinished, will necessarily be added later and by others. The other is a truly exceptional reference work on the complex topic of intersex by Stanley Robboy, a cherished friend and collaborator of some decades’ duration. An important theme in this issue is the application of special techniques to the diagnosis of gynaecological pathology, specifically the molecular pathology and cytogenetics of female reproductive tract neoplasms and trophoblastic disease by Annie Cheung, Michael Wells, Jaime Prat, Sigurd Lax and Fattaneh Tavassoli, as well as the application of immunochemistry to cervical pathology by Glenn McCluggage, each article a tour de force in its own right by leading authorities in the field. Targeted articles on the diagnostic pathology of fallopian tube cancers (Robert Young), early serous endometrial cancer (Joseph Rabban and Charles Zaloudek), undifferentiated endometrial cancer (Elvio Silva) and struma ovarii (Lawrence Roth and Aleks Talerman), are directed towards practical case diagnosis. The contributions of all of these individuals and their coauthors, working necessarily to a tight schedule for the special theme issue, are not only acknowledged but applauded. I commend the final product to the readership of Pathology and, in conclusion, hope that it further reflects the fastidious and painstaking editorial preparation of Belinda Neill, our Editorial Manager. Address for correspondence: Professor P. Russell, Symbion Laverty Pathology, 60 Waterloo Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]
ISSN 0031-3025 printed/ISSN 1465-3931 # 2007 Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia DOI: 10.1080/00313020601164015