Problems in rare tumor study: a call for papers

Rare tumor research presents many challenges. Large, randomized clinical trials are often impractical in this field and access to biospecimens may be problematic. These difficulties can best be addressed through multi-disciplinary, national and international collaborative efforts between researchers, clinicians, governmental bodies, and patients. Numerous governmental and private organizations now exist to facilitate cooperation between researchers and institutions. Patient advocacy organizations now play an increasingly important role is partnering with traditional research groups in promoting rare tumor research. Rare Tumors is now beginning an editorial series focusing on the problems of rare tumor research. We wish to invite all researchers and clinicians who are involved in rare tumor research and treatment to contribute their observations on the problems of working in this field, either as a letter to the editor, an editorial on a select issue, or as a review paper