The goal of this issue of Gastroenterology Clinics is to present GI diseases which affect women uniquely, such as pelvic floor problems and pregnancy related disorders, or which require a more considered approach such as functional bowel disease or autoimmune processes. It will also address the position of women and female gastroenterologists in the health system as a whole. This issue is published at an exciting, transitional time in the future of gastroenterology, as we adjust approaches for the assessment of disease in a large portion of our patient population, and as we address the challenges in practicing medicine based on the uniqueness of specific populations.

The guest editors have assembled expert authors to discuss issues in gastroenterology unique to female patients. After reading the articles in this issue, readers should be able to determine whether gender influences diagnosis and treatment of functional disorders; evaluate problems in the pregnant patient; explain immune diseases of the GI and discuss unique genetic aspects of Lynch Syndrome and IBD.

The goal of this issue of Gastroenterology Clinics is to present GI diseases which affect women uniquely, such as pelvic floor problems and pregnancy related disorders, or which require a more considered approach such as functional bowel disease or autoimmune processes. It will also address the position of women and female gastroenterologists in the health system as a whole. This issue is published at an exciting, transitional time in the future of gastroenterology, as we adjust approaches for the assessment of disease in a large portion of our patient population, and as we address the challenges in practicing medicine based on the uniqueness of specific populations.

The guest editors of this issue have assembled expert authors to discuss issues in gastroenterology unique to female patients. After reading the articles in this issue, readers should be able to determine whether gender influences diagnosis and treatment of functional disorders, evaluate problems in the pregnant patient, explain immune diseases of the GI, and discuss unique genetic aspects of Lynch Syndrome and IBD.

This issue details the latest knowledge of early diagnosis, risk factors, limited surgical treatments, and novel therapies for pancreatic diseases. Clinicians will learn the most prognostic scoring systems for acute pancreatitis, review the basics for early management of the disease, and see how current practice guidelines have evolved. Advances in radiological imaging when applied to the pancreas have resulted in enhanced staging and improved selection for surgical intervention. Endoscopy of the pancreas via both ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound has led to unprecedented access and potential for non-operative intervention. Pancreatic surgery now takes advantage of both minimally invasive approaches and techniques learned from organ transplantation. These latest advances are addressed in this issue by key opinion leaders.

In the last three decades, the prevalence of obesity has doubled with over 600 million obese adults worldwide. The gastrointestinal complications of obesity are well publicized; however, the role of the gastrointestinal tract in the development and treatment of obesity is often understated. From the pathophysiologic role of gut hormones and the microbiota, to the purposeful, anatomic derangement of the gastrointestinal tract that is utilized as a treatment for obesity, it is imperative that gastroenterologists understand the full scope of obesity in relation to the gastrointestinal system. Studies suggest that in the U.S. obesity is underrecognized and undertreated by health care providers. Given its complex sociology, pathophysiology, and treatment, obesity, like many other diseases, requires a multidisciplinary approach. Therefore, gastroenterologists must be equipped with the relevant knowledge of obesity that will empower them to properly manage their patients.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers account for nearly 150,000 deaths each year, in the United States alone. Encouragingly, environmental risk factors, premalignant conditions, and high-risk familial kindreds are well described for many GI cancers. In this comprehensive volume on GI Neoplasia, all luminal cancers will be discussed, along with pancreas cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), carcinoid tumors, and neuroendocrine tumors. Hepatobiliary cancers are not addressed, as these tumors could form the basis of a separate volume. Articles are organized to address several key topics for each cancer type, such as: public health burden, molecular pathways, risk and protective factors, early detection, clinical evaluation, management, and survivorship.