Increasing Underrepresented Minority Representation in a General Surgery Residency Program Utilizing a 3-Phase Strategy.

Background: Underrepresented minority groups (URMs) in surgery are not significantly increasing despite evidence suggesting that diversity in health care providers leads to excellent patient outcomes and care. Efforts to increase URM representation in surgical residency programs are essential for addressing disparities and improving health care delivery.

Methods: This retrospective study outlines a three-phase strategy implemented at a large academic-affiliated hospital to increase URM representation in its general surgery residency program.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are relatively rare mesenchymal tumors located within the submucosa of the GI tract. The defining characteristic of GISTs is the presence of the cell-surface antigen CD117 receptor tyrosine kinase, identified by immunohistochemistry. Currently the only cure for GIST is complete surgical resection.

Peritoneal surface malignancies and regional treatment: a review of the literature.

Recent studies have lead to a renewed interest in cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy as a regional treatment modality for patients with peritoneal surface malignancies. There have been multiple phase III randomized trials that have shown a survival advantage with intraperitoneal chemotherapy in certain patients. More well designed phase III studies are needed to further define which groups of patients may benefit from cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy.