Q. How would you describe the growth and evolution of the journal over the last 25 years?
Dr. McMasters: The Annals of Surgical Oncology has grown enormously over the last 25 years. At the beginning it was a start-up effort and now is the largest and most prestigious journal in the specialty of cancer surgery and multi-disciplinary cancer care. Annals of Surgical Oncology has become the home for the latest and best in the advances in surgical oncology and multi-disciplinary care and that’s due to the efforts of Dr. Balch over the years.
Q. What is the international perception of Annals of Surgical Oncology? How do you see that evolving?
Dr. McMasters: The international perception of Annals of Surgical Oncology is that it is the premier journal in the specialty. You can see that reflected in the volume of manuscripts from around the world that are submitted and accepted. It is the publication for all of the best science and clinical advances in every subspecialty that encounters cancer.
Dr. Balch: The journal has grown on the international stage in part and in parallel with the Society of Surgical Oncology, which is purposed to be a global society for surgical oncologists around the world. No other society has taken on the leadership role on the global stage like the SSO. And so, too, in parallel, the journal has purposed to be a global journal.
Q: What is your vision for the journal?
Dr. McMasters: Foremost that it will continue the upward trajectory started by Dr. Balch 25 years ago. That it will continue to be the world’s leading journal in surgical oncology. It will become more competitive and it will reach more people around the world in every cancer subspecialty.
Q. What are the core qualities of the journal that you feel are important to maintain?
Dr. McMasters: First, scientific integrity and, second, quality of the articles. What we will continue to do is to build upon the strength of the international editorial board and engage leaders in cancer from around the world to be part of the journal, which will strengthen its place as the premier journal in the specialty.
Dr. Balch: Maintaining an excellent peer review process is critical. Years ago, we established a term limit of three years, renewable once, for any editorial board member. So, we’re always having new faces, new energy coming into the editorial board and having peer experts that people recognize. Having an inclusive editorial board that is reflective of the global cancer community is also a necessity.
Q. Describe the relationship between Annals of Surgical Oncology and SSO, and how you see this being stronger or changing over time?
Dr. McMasters: Annals of Surgical Oncology and the SSO are one and the same. It’s the same mission. Annals of Surgical Oncology is one arm of the SSO. And I believe that in the future we will work very closely together as the journal continues to grow and prosper.
Dr. Balch: The journal, like the SSO as a society, purposes to be the educational leader for all surgeons treating cancer patients regardless of whether they’re in an academic medical cancer center or in the community, not only in the United States but importantly throughout the world. So, we’ve had a joint and parallel mission to provide scientific, evidence-based contributions from the literature by peer review and educational content to allow surgeons to take on new information.
Q. Who are the key facilitators to the journal’s success?
Dr. McMasters: The success of Annals of Surgical Oncology is due not only to the efforts of Dr. Balch over the last 25 years, but to Dr. Mark Roh, Executive Editor, and to Deb Whippen and her staff, who have done a phenomenal job over the years of assuring the growth and quality of the journal.
Dr. Balch: The other key people in making the journal go are Deb Whippen and Dr. Mark Roh. Remember, we process more manuscripts than almost any other surgical journal. It’s between 50 and 60 manuscripts a week. And it takes a separate group of people, who can do that smoothly and efficiently, in addition to the Editor-in-Chief.