[The cancer patient in science and society]

The 2nd Dresden hematonocological meeting, organized by the Department of hematology and oncology of the Medical Academy "Carl Gustav Carus" and by the Tumorzentrum Dresden, focused ethical and anthropological topics. Death and dying, care and health prevention in modern oncology as well as the broad field of supportive care were discussed. The goal of the meeting was to find long time concepts of a patient oriented medical care in cancer patients. This will only be possible in interdisciplinary structures including philosophers, theologians, clinicians and general practitioners. The rapid progress of medical development in Eastern Germany must not forget this goal.