[Medical oncology: notions for a new specialty]

The higher incidence and mortality rates of cancer require an increasing concern of the medical community regarding this disease. In the last decade the management of advanced stages of the disease has progressed significantly. The contributions of basic research, and improvements in diagnostic methods, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and bio-therapy has made this possible. The internist is the most competent specialist to take over the diagnosis and management of this disease; therefore he should be trained in the different disciplines which will enable him to become a medical oncologist. The training program for this new specialty should be designed by post-graduate schools with the support of the universities, the Ministry of Health and even private institutions. In Chile, as in other developed countries, there are training programs which have been suited to satisfy the growing needs of different specialties.