2010 Musculoskeletal Tumor Society: Editorial Comment: Journal-Society Synergy in Scholarly Publication

Abstract

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (CORR) has a long record of accomplishment in publishing oncologic work. It has published many focused symposia regarding specific topics (eg, bone and cartilage transplantation [Volume 174, 1983]; neurofibromatosis [Volume 245, 1989]; osteosarcoma [Volume 270, 1991]). Since 1999 when CORR became the official organ for the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS), the journal has published a symposium of the best selected articles from the annual meeting of the MSTS. The relationship between the journal and the society has promoted the interests of both organizations. The journal gets dependable high-quality content, and the society gets high-quality editing and dissemination of its aggregated best work. Each organization achieved its goals due to this mutually beneficial arrangement. The successful relationship should continue. MSTS, “Who’s your daddy?” It is CORR. CORR is the clarion voice for musculoskeletal oncology. The data speak. CORR publishes more articles with higher citation index than any other journal dealing with musculoskeletal oncology (Table 1). This includes all surgical and orthopaedic specialties. Indeed, CORR publishes more than all the other journals combined when it comes to bone tumors. For example, it dwarfs others in publications regarding osteosarcoma and giant cell tumor, the leading primary malignant and benign conditions that require orthopaedic surgery. Even in the domain of soft tissue sarcoma, orthopaedic surgeons have made the greatest contributions to the surgical literature, and CORR has led the way. CORR is clearly the best international forum for musculoskeletal tumor scholarly work. Table 1 Number of musculoskeletal tumor articles published by leading journals Investigator-initiated research was the basis of the 2010 Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Meeting. Thus, there was no specific focus, but a broad range of topics was covered. The program committee identified the best presentations for inclusion in this symposium. Included are papers dealing with complications of medical, radiation, and surgical treatment, examination of how surgical margin affects recurrence and outcome of soft tissue sarcoma, the management of several different benign and malignant tumors, followup of various reconstructive procedures, and difficulty dealing with certain anatomic sites such as the pelvis. These papers provide a balanced view of modern work done in the field of musculoskeletal oncology. Notably missing, however, was significant work dealing with tumor biology. Perhaps authors present their biologic work at other meetings and submit it to other journals. Hopefully it does not reflect orthopaedic surgeons abjuring biology. Regardless, biology is the inexorable force behind cancer, and the meeting should strive for balance between the biologic and mechanical aspects of oncologic practice. In the long run, the MSTS must focus more on biology if we are to make progress against musculoskeletal cancers. The MSTS, our members, and our patients owe a debt of gratitude to CORR for promoting research and clinical improvement in oncology and disseminating the knowledge internationally (Fig. ​(Fig.11). Fig. 1 Dr. John H. Healey is shown.