[Outcome quality in oncological surgery]

The term "quality" is a new buzzword used in connection with diagnostic and therapeutic activities. In the context of surgery, the term is usually restricted to the subdivision "quality of results." The specific circumstances surrounding a patient threatened by a malignant tumor justify separate consideration of oncologic surgery. Upon scrutiny, the frequency with which the term quality of results is used is in stark contrast to the lack of distinct clarification of the parameters it covers and grave uncertainty in data collection. Since medical action is not identical to technical action, attention must be called to the limitations of this popular terminology, especially with regard to oncology.