Dear reader,

figure a

In previous and upcoming issues of the journal, you will find presentations by members of the editorial board. We highly appreciate their expertise and hard work which is very important for the success of the journal.

The present issue includes a number of interesting articles; among these there is a review by Wesselmann et al. She describes the current status of gynaecological cancer centres in Germany. It is now 10 years that tumour-specific cancer centres have been established by the German Cancer Society. The success of this initiative was started by breast cancer centres. Gynaecological cancer centres exist since 2008 with a total number of 91 certified centres in 2013. The certification system aims at giving patients with gynaecological cancer optimal conditions for diagnosis and treatment which is guaranteed by interdisciplinary, transsectoral and multiprofessional collaboration of all disciplines involved. In parallel to this certification system, the German National Cancer Plan was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Health, the Working Group of German Cancer Registry, the German Cancer Society and the German Cancer Aid in 2008. This political initiative involved in these groups to guarantee the establishment of structures that are tailored for improvement of cancer care, allowing optimal treatment of each individual patient. From this point of view, these recent developments are of historic importance for the German health care system. From the gynaecologist’s perspective, it is an important step in strengthening the role in gynaecological cancer care.

Sincerely,

O. Ortmann

Editor-in-Chief