[Goals, results and limitations of multimodal tumor therapy]

Multimodal tumor therapy, or the employment of two or more treatment modalities in combination, had led to several advances in the cure or long-term survival of patients with various tumor types. The individual established indications for multimodal tumor therapy are listed and described. Other indications remain controversial or are under evaluation in prospective randomized studies. In certain tumor types no advantage from the use of multimodal treatment has been demonstrated as yet. Aside from the advantages of multimodal therapy, the problems involved and possible side effects, especially in regard to short-, mid- and long-term toxic effects are described.