This issue of Radiation Medicine Rounds focuses on lower gastrointestinal malignancies. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2009 there were a total of 152,000 new cases of Colorectal and Anal Cancers diagnosed with over 50,000 deaths from these Cancers. Thus it is crucial for the practitioner to be up-to-date on the latest insights regarding their management.Included are chapters on the evolution of systemic agents, neoadjuvant treatment, radiation therapy, chemoradiation therapy, Rectal Cancer and Anal Cancer covering the vast majority of these tumours. The multi-disciplinary nature of the articles provides readers with an up-to-date summary and a well-rounded review regarding these tumours and their care. Expert authors provide reviews and assessments of the most recent data and its implications for current clinical practise, along with insights into emerging new trends of importance for the near future.About the series:Radiation Medicine Rounds is an invited review publication providing a thorough analysis of new scientific, technologic and clinical advances in all areas of radiation medicine. There is an emphasis throughout on multidisciplinary approaches to the specialty, as well as on quality and outcomes analysis.Published three times a year Radiation Medicine Rounds provides authoritative, thorough assessments of a wide range of hot topics and emerging new data for the entire specialty of radiation medicine.Features of Radiation Medicine Rounds include:Editorial board of nationally recognised experts across the spectrum of radiation medicineIn-depth, up-to-date expert reviews and analysis of major new developments in all areas of radiation medicineIssues edited by an authority in specific subject areaFocuses on major topics in radiation medicine with in-depth articles covering advances in radiation science radiation medicine technology, radiation medicine practice and assessment of recent quality and outcomes studiesEmphasises multidisciplinary approaches to research and practise